Luke 7:27 - This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Malachi 3:1
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 7:27" mean?
This verse, Luke 7:27, quotes Malachi 3:1 and refers to John the Baptist. Let's break down what it means:
"This is he...": This refers to John the Baptist, whom Jesus has just been praising (Luke 7:24-26).
"...of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’": This is a direct quote from Malachi 3:1. Let's look at that quote more closely:
"Behold, I send my messenger before your face...": "Behold" is an attention-grabbing word, signaling something important is about to be said. "I" refers to God (in the context of Malachi and the fulfillment in Luke, this is understood by Christians to refer to God the Father sending His Son). "My messenger" refers to the one God is sending ahead. "Before your face" refers to the person the messenger is preparing the way for (Jesus in this context).
"...who will prepare your way before you.’": This describes the messenger's job: to clear the path and make the person's coming easier. This "preparing the way" is not just physical. It is also spiritual and mental.
In the context of Luke 7:27 (and the broader New Testament), the meaning is this:
Jesus is saying that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Malachi 3:1. John was sent by God to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. John did this by:
Preaching repentance: He called people to turn away from their sins and be baptized as a sign of their changed hearts (Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:4-8, Luke 3:3-18). This was like clearing the ground of weeds and stones before a king's procession.
Pointing to Jesus: John explicitly identified Jesus as the Messiah, the one greater than himself, and the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11-12, John 1:29-34). He directed people's attention and anticipation towards Jesus.
Witnessing to the Truth: John's courageous and uncompromising preaching, even to the point of confronting Herod's sin, prepared people to receive the truth that Jesus would proclaim.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse demonstrates that Jesus and his ministry are consistent with the Old Testament prophecies.
John's Role: It highlights the importance of John the Baptist's role as the forerunner of the Messiah. He wasn't the Messiah himself, but he was essential in preparing the way for Jesus' arrival.
Jesus' Identity: It implicitly reinforces Jesus' claim to be the Messiah, the one who was foretold and for whom John was preparing the way.
Continuity Between Testaments: The verse is a bridge between the Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus.
Repentance and Preparation: It underscores the need for repentance and spiritual preparation to receive the message and ministry of Jesus.
Luke 7:27 - This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Malachi 3:1
What does "Luke 7:27" mean?
This verse, Luke 7:27, quotes Malachi 3:1 and refers to John the Baptist. Let's break down what it means:
"This is he...": This refers to John the Baptist, whom Jesus has just been praising (Luke 7:24-26).
"...of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’": This is a direct quote from Malachi 3:1. Let's look at that quote more closely:
"Behold, I send my messenger before your face...": "Behold" is an attention-grabbing word, signaling something important is about to be said. "I" refers to God (in the context of Malachi and the fulfillment in Luke, this is understood by Christians to refer to God the Father sending His Son). "My messenger" refers to the one God is sending ahead. "Before your face" refers to the person the messenger is preparing the way for (Jesus in this context).
"...who will prepare your way before you.’": This describes the messenger's job: to clear the path and make the person's coming easier. This "preparing the way" is not just physical. It is also spiritual and mental.
In the context of Luke 7:27 (and the broader New Testament), the meaning is this:
Jesus is saying that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Malachi 3:1. John was sent by God to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. John did this by:
Preaching repentance: He called people to turn away from their sins and be baptized as a sign of their changed hearts (Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:4-8, Luke 3:3-18). This was like clearing the ground of weeds and stones before a king's procession.
Pointing to Jesus: John explicitly identified Jesus as the Messiah, the one greater than himself, and the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11-12, John 1:29-34). He directed people's attention and anticipation towards Jesus.
Witnessing to the Truth: John's courageous and uncompromising preaching, even to the point of confronting Herod's sin, prepared people to receive the truth that Jesus would proclaim.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse demonstrates that Jesus and his ministry are consistent with the Old Testament prophecies.
John's Role: It highlights the importance of John the Baptist's role as the forerunner of the Messiah. He wasn't the Messiah himself, but he was essential in preparing the way for Jesus' arrival.
Jesus' Identity: It implicitly reinforces Jesus' claim to be the Messiah, the one who was foretold and for whom John was preparing the way.
Continuity Between Testaments: The verse is a bridge between the Old Testament prophecies and their New Testament fulfillment in Jesus.
Repentance and Preparation: It underscores the need for repentance and spiritual preparation to receive the message and ministry of Jesus.