Luke 1:76
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παιδίον
child
G3813
παιδίον
child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
3 of 14
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
προφήτης
the prophet
G4396
προφήτης
the prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
4 of 14
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ὑψίστου
of the Highest
G5310
ὑψίστου
of the Highest
Strong's:
G5310
Word #:
5 of 14
highest, i.e., (masculine singular) the supreme (god), or (neuter plural) the heavens
κληθήσῃ·
shalt be called
G2564
κληθήσῃ·
shalt be called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
6 of 14
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
9 of 14
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
προσώπου
the face
G4383
προσώπου
the face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
10 of 14
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
11 of 14
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
Malachi 3:1Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.Matthew 3:3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.Matthew 14:5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.John 1:23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.Acts 16:17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.Mark 11:32But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.Luke 1:32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:Luke 1:35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Historical Context
Prophetic voices had been silent for 400 years since Malachi. John would break this silence as the last and greatest Old Testament prophet (Luke 7:28), serving as transition between old and new covenants. His message of repentance and baptism prepared hearts to receive the Messiah by creating spiritual hunger and conviction of sin. The emphasis on 'remission of sins' anticipates the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:34.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's role as forerunner demonstrate the necessity of conviction of sin before receiving grace?
- What does the identification of Jesus with the Lord (Yahweh) in this prophecy teach about Christ's deity?
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Analysis & Commentary
Zacharias addresses his infant son John: 'And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest' (καὶ σὺ δέ, παιδίον, προφήτης ὑψίστου κληθήσῃ). The title 'prophet of the Highest' places John in the line of Old Testament prophets while emphasizing his unique role. The phrase 'thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways' (προπορεύσῃ γὰρ ἐνώπιον κυρίου ἑτοιμάσαι ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ) directly applies Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 to John. The pronoun 'his' (αὐτοῦ) refers to 'the Lord' (κυρίου)—when John prepared the way for Jesus, he prepared the way for Yahweh Himself, implying Jesus' deity. John's ministry would 'give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins' (v.77), defining salvation not as political freedom but as forgiveness.