Matthew 3:2-3

Context
3:2 “Repent,¹ for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3:3 For he is the one about whom Isaiah the prophet had spoken:²

“The voice³ of one shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make⁴ his paths straight.’”⁵

[3:2] ¹tn Grk “and saying, ‘Repent.’” The participle λέγων (legwn) at the beginning of v. 2 is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[3:3] ²tn Grk “was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying.” The participle λέγοντος (legonto") is redundant and has not been translated. The passive construction has also been rendered as active in the translation for the sake of English style.

[3:3] ³tn Or “A voice.”

[3:3] ⁴sn This call to “make paths straight” in this context is probably an allusion to preparation through repentance.

[3:3] ⁵sn A quotation from Isa 40:3.