Luke 3:5

Luke 3:5, in plain English

Isaiah continued: 'Every valley will be filled in, every mountain made low, the crooked roads straightened, the rough paths made smooth.'

Why it's here

This is a picture of removing every obstacle between people and God. John's message of repentance was the spiritual road construction that made way for Jesus.

Who's speaking

Luke continues quoting Isaiah's beautiful prophetic poetry.

Where it sits in the story

Imagine bulldozing every obstacle in the way. That is what John's message did spiritually—it leveled pride, filled in despair, and cleared a path straight to the heart of God.

The scholarly reading

Continuing Isaiah's prophecy: every valley filled, every mountain and hill made low, crooked ways straightened, rough ways smoothed. This imagery of road construction symbolizes the removal of spiritual obstacles.

Language and setting

Ancient Near Eastern kings had roads prepared before their arrival. Isaiah applies this to God's coming, and Luke applies it to Jesus' advent. The leveling imagery also suggests social equalization.

Voice

Luke continues quoting Isaiah's vision of preparation for God's coming.

Significance

Isaiah's imagery of radical landscape transformation pictures the spiritual revolution John's preaching brings. Every barrier between God and humanity is being leveled in preparation for the Messiah.

3He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

4as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.

5Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth.

6And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”

7Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Read all of Luke 3 — John the Baptist doesn't just call for repentance — he gets specific. Tax collectors, soldiers, and crowds all hear what it costs to change.