7:27a

This is the one about whom it is written: This clause introduces something that the prophet Malachi wrote about in the Old Testament. In 7:27b Luke gave the meaning, but not the exact words, of Malachi 3:1. He implied that John the Baptizer was the man about whom Malachi wrote hundreds of years before. You may need to make this clear in your translation. For example:

⌊John⌋ is the one about whom ⌊a prophet⌋ wrote ⌊long ago⌋

The phrase it is written often introduces a quotation from the Hebrew Scriptures, which are now called the Old Testament. In many languages the translation of this phrase mentions the Scriptures explicitly. Consider how to adapt your translation of that phrase for this context. For example:

⌊John⌋ is the one about whom it is written ⌊in the Scriptures⌋
-or-
This is the one concerning whom the Scriptures say

In some languages it may be helpful to introduce the words more explicitly. For example:

⌊John⌋ is the ⌊messenger⌋ that ⌊God speaks⌋ about in his Word/Scriptures

7:27b–c

Behold: In the Greek text, this quotation begins with the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Behold. Some versions say “Look” (NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004)). Other versions (New International Version, Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word) do not explicitly translate this word. It calls the attention of the listeners to what God was about to say (“I will send my messenger ahead of you”). See the note on “Behold” at 1:31a, where the same word occurs.

I will send My messenger ahead of You: In many cultures at that time, a king would choose a person to go as his messenger to tell people that he was coming. The messenger would tell the people to prepare for his coming. In this context, the word I refers to God, and the word You refers to the Christ/Messiah. God indicated that he would send a messenger to tell people to prepare for the Christ/Messiah who was coming. Jesus implied that John was that messenger.

send: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as send means to order someone to go somewhere for a particular purpose.

ahead of You: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ahead of You is literally “before your face.” In this context the phrase may indicate either or both of the following options:

(a) I will send my messenger before ⌊I send⌋ you;

(b) I will send my messenger to go in front of you.

In some languages there may be a natural way to translate the clause so that both meanings are possible. If you must choose one of these meanings, choose option (a).

who will prepare Your way before You: In this context the phrase prepare Your way is a metaphor. It is based on the custom of preparing roads before a king came. People repaired the roads so that the king could travel easily on them. Here the metaphor indicates that God was sending someone to prepare people for the Christ by telling them to repent of their sins. (This metaphor is also used in Isaiah 40:3–5, Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2–3, and Luke 3:4–6.)

In some languages people may not understand the meaning of the metaphor. They may wrongly think that it refers to repairing roads. If that is true in your language, consider one of these options:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare ⌊people⌋ for your coming ⌊like a person who prepares the roads before a king comes⌋.
-or-
I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will ⌊call people to⌋ prepare ⌊their hearts⌋ for your coming ⌊like a person who calls people to prepare the roads for the coming of a king⌋.

• Translate the meaning of the metaphor. For example:

I will send my messenger ahead of you to tell people to prepare themselves for your coming ⌊by turning from their sins⌋.

See how you translated the similar phrase in 1:76.

Your way: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as way literally means “road,” “path,” or “highway.” Use a word that is appropriate for your area.

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