Luke 7:27

Luke 7:27, in plain English

Jesus quoted Scripture: 'This is the one about whom it was written: I will send My messenger ahead of You to prepare Your way.'

Why it's here

Jesus was saying: John was prophesied hundreds of years ago. His life was part of God's master plan all along.

Who's speaking

Jesus uses ancient Scripture to define John's God-given role.

Where it sits in the story

God planned John's role centuries before he was born. That means He plans your life too. You're not random — you're part of a story that's been unfolding since before time began.

The scholarly reading

Jesus quotes Malachi 3:1 (with Exodus 23:20 conflated): idou apostellō ton angelon mou pro prosōpou sou, hos kataskeuasei tēn hodon sou emprosthen sou ("Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You"). This identifies John as the prophesied forerunner.

Language and setting

The scriptural quotation is applied in a distinctive way: God speaks to the Messiah about His messenger. Jesus' use of this text implicitly identifies Himself as the one for whom John prepares the way.

Voice

Jesus cites Scripture to establish John's role as the prophesied forerunner.

Significance

By quoting Malachi, Jesus grounds John's identity in prophetic Scripture and simultaneously reveals His own messianic identity as the one preceded by the messenger.

25Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.

26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

27This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’

28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29All the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice. For they had received the baptism of John.

Read all of Luke 7 — A Roman centurion's faith astonishes Jesus, a widow's dead son is raised, and a sinful woman's tears become an act of worship.