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John 1:23

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 1:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.
John 1:23 — American Standard Version

Context — John 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And he confessed, and denied not; and he confessed, I am not the Christ.
21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elijah? And he saith, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered, No.
22They said therefore unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?
23He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said Isaiah the prophet.
24And they had been sent from the Pharisees.
25And they asked him, and said unto him, Why then baptizest thou, if thou art not the Christ, neither Elijah, neither the prophet?
26John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not,
← John 1:22John 1:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, etc.] These words are cited by the other evangelists, and applied to John the Baptist; but then they are only to be considered as their citation, and as an application of them to him by them: but here they are used by John himself, who both expresses them, and interprets them of himself; and in which he was undoubtedly under the infallible direction of the blessed Spirit; and which confirms the sense of the evangelists, who apply the words to him. The Jews give a different interpretation of the words; though one of their celebrated commentators f43 owns, that the comforts spoken of in the preceding verses are what will be in the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I am the voice ... - See the notes at Matthew 3:3. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He said - I am that forerunner of Christ of whom Isaiah speaks. I am the voice - As if he had said, Far from being Christ, or even Elijah, I am nothing but a voice: a sound that so soon as it has expressed the thought of which it is the sign, dies into air, and is known no more. Isa 40:3. John 1:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I am: Joh 3:28; Mat 3:3; Mar 1:3; Luk 1:16, Luk 1:17, Luk 1:76-79, Luk 3:4-6 as said: Isa 40:3-5 John 1:24”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification