Luke 1:76

KJV

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} thou {G4771}, child {G3813}, shalt be called {G2564} the prophet {G4396} of the Highest {G5310}: for {G1063} thou shalt go {G4313} before {G4253} the face {G4383} of the Lord {G2962} to prepare {G2090} his {G846} ways {G3598};

Complete Jewish Bible

You, child, will be called a prophet of Ha`Elyon; you will go before the Lord to prepare his way

Berean Standard Bible

And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

American Standard Version

Yea and thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Most High: For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 1:76, part of Zechariah's Spirit-inspired prophecy known as the "Benedictus," declares the divine calling and unique mission of his newborn son, John the Baptist. This verse proclaims that John will be recognized as a prophet of God Most High, whose essential task is to precede the Lord, preparing the hearts and lives of the people for the Messiah's imminent arrival. It firmly establishes John's pivotal role as the divinely appointed forerunner, bridging the prophetic silence of centuries with the dawning of God's redemptive plan in Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Zechariah's "Benedictus" (Luke 1:67-80), a profound prophetic hymn uttered immediately after his speech is miraculously restored following John's birth and naming (Luke 1:57-64). The hymn begins with praise for God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel, particularly the raising up of a "horn of salvation" (Luke 1:69). Luke 1:76 then shifts focus to John, Zechariah's son, delineating his specific role within this unfolding divine plan. It directly follows Zechariah being "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:67), underscoring the divine inspiration behind his words. This prophecy echoes the earlier angelic announcement to Zechariah, which stated that John would "go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). Thus, Luke 1:76 serves as a Spirit-inspired confirmation and elaboration of John's divinely ordained mission.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people in the 1st century AD lived under Roman occupation, longing for the promised Messiah who would deliver them and restore Israel's glory. There had been a prophetic silence for approximately 400 years since Malachi, making the appearance of a true prophet a momentous event. The concept of a "forerunner" was understood in the ancient Near East, where a herald or messenger would precede a king or important dignitary to announce their arrival and prepare the way, often literally by clearing roads or metaphorically by preparing the populace. Furthermore, there was a strong expectation, based on Malachi's prophecy, that Elijah would return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5-6). John the Baptist, with his ascetic lifestyle and bold preaching, would have immediately brought to mind this prophetic expectation, positioning him as the anticipated messenger who would prepare the nation for the Lord's coming.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 1:76 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Appointment and Prophetic Fulfillment**. John's role is not self-chosen but divinely ordained ("shalt be called the prophet of the Highest"), fulfilling ancient prophecies concerning a messenger who would prepare the Lord's way (e.g., [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger of the Covenant") and [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - A Voice Crying in the Wilderness")). This highlights God's sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to His promises. Another crucial theme is the **Preparation for the Messiah**. John's mission is explicitly "to prepare his ways," which involved a call to repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins, as seen in [Luke 3:3](/luke/3-3 "Luke 3:3 - John's Baptism of Repentance"). This spiritual preparation was essential for the people to recognize and receive the coming Savior. Finally, the verse underscores the **Continuity of God's Redemptive Plan**, showing how John's ministry serves as the bridge between the Old Covenant expectations and the New Covenant reality inaugurated by Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** (G4396) From a compound of πρό (pró, "before" or "forth") and φημί (phēmí, "to speak"); a foreteller or inspired speaker. John is not merely a predictor of future events, but one who speaks forth God's message with divine authority, serving as God's mouthpiece to a generation that had long lacked prophetic guidance. This title underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of his ministry.
* **Highest (Greek, _hýpsistos'_):** (G5310) Superlative from the base of ὕψος (hýpsos, "height"); highest, referring to the Supreme God. This title for God emphasizes His transcendence, sovereignty, and ultimate authority. By calling John the "prophet of the Highest," Zechariah attributes John's calling and message directly to the supreme, transcendent God, lending ultimate weight and divine backing to his prophetic role.
* **prepare (Greek, _hetoimázō'_):** (G2090) From ἕτοιμος (hétoimos, "ready"); to make ready, to provide. This verb signifies the active and necessary work John was to undertake. It implies not just a spiritual readiness in people's hearts but also a practical clearing of obstacles, making the path smooth for the Lord's advent. This "preparation" involved calling people to repentance and a change of life, making them spiritually receptive to the Messiah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:"** Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, directly addresses his infant son, John. The phrase "shalt be called" signifies a divinely ordained identity and purpose, not merely a human designation. John's role as a "prophet" means he will be a divinely appointed messenger, speaking God's word. The attribution "of the Highest" explicitly links John's authority and message to God Most High, emphasizing the supreme and transcendent source of his prophetic ministry. This declaration sets John apart as a unique figure in salvation history.
* **"for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;"** This clause provides the divine rationale ("for") for John's prophetic calling. His primary mission is to serve as a forerunner, literally to "go before the face" or "in the presence" of the Lord. The "Lord" here refers to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose advent John is to announce and facilitate. "To prepare his ways" is a direct allusion to Old Testament prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 40:3), signifying the spiritual and moral readiness required of the people for the Messiah's arrival. John's ministry would involve calling people to repentance, turning their hearts back to God, and making them receptive to the message and person of Jesus.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 1:76 is rich in **Prophecy**, as Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, foretells the future role of his son, John. This prophetic declaration is also a powerful instance of **Foreshadowing**, as it clearly anticipates the imminent arrival and ministry of Jesus Christ, the "Lord" whose way John is to prepare. The verse also employs **Allusion**, specifically echoing Old Testament prophetic language from [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - The Voice Crying in the Wilderness") and [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - The Messenger Who Prepares the Way"). This intertextual connection demonstrates the continuity of God's redemptive plan across the Testaments and underscores John's role as the fulfillment of these long-awaited promises. The use of "Highest" for God is a form of **Epithet**, a descriptive title that emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty and transcendence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 1:76 profoundly illustrates God's meticulous planning and sovereign execution of His redemptive purposes. It highlights the divine nature of prophetic calling, where individuals are chosen and empowered by God for specific, crucial roles within His unfolding narrative. John's ministry, as described here, serves as the final and climactic bridge between the Old Covenant expectations and the New Covenant reality, demonstrating that God's promises are always fulfilled, often in unexpected ways. The verse also underscores the necessity of spiritual preparation for encountering God, a theme that resonates throughout scripture, emphasizing that hearts must be made ready to receive divine truth and presence.

* [Malachi 3:1](/malachi/3-1 "Malachi 3:1 - Behold, I Send My Messenger")
* [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah 40:3 - Prepare the Way of the Lord")
* [Matthew 3:3](/matthew/3-3 "Matthew 3:3 - John the Baptist's Fulfillment of Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 1:76 offers profound insights for believers today, inviting us to consider our own divine purpose and the call to prepare hearts, both our own and others', for the Lord. Just as John was divinely appointed for a specific mission, so too does every believer have a unique calling within God's kingdom. This verse encourages us to discern and embrace that calling, understanding that our lives, when submitted to God, can be instruments in His grand redemptive narrative. John's primary task was preparation—clearing obstacles and making the path smooth for the Messiah. This challenges us to examine our own lives: are we preparing our hearts through repentance, spiritual discipline, and a pursuit of holiness to receive more of Christ? Are we also actively preparing the way for others to encounter Jesus, by living lives that reflect His light, sharing His truth, and removing barriers that hinder their understanding of the Gospel? John's humility in pointing away from himself to the coming Lord also serves as a powerful model, reminding us that our ultimate purpose is always to glorify God and His Son, Jesus Christ, ensuring that He increases and we decrease.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding John's "divine appointment" encourage you to seek and embrace your own God-given purpose?**
* **In what practical ways can you "prepare your ways" for a deeper encounter with the Lord in your daily life?**
* **What "obstacles" in your own heart or in the lives of those around you might need to be addressed to "prepare the way" for Christ?**
* **How can you cultivate the humility of John the Baptist, ensuring that your service always points others to Jesus rather than to yourself?**

### FAQ

**Why is John called "the prophet of the Highest" and not just "a prophet"?**

Answer: The designation "prophet of the Highest" (προφήτης Ὑψίστου, _prophḗtēs Hypsistou_) emphasizes the supreme and transcendent source of John's prophetic authority and message. "Highest" is a title for God that highlights His ultimate sovereignty and majesty. By calling John this, Zechariah underscores that John's calling was not merely human or a continuation of past prophetic traditions, but a direct, divinely ordained mission from the Most High God Himself. It elevates his status beyond a mere messenger to one who speaks with the very authority of the Almighty, preparing the world for the arrival of the Lord. This title also implicitly connects John's ministry to the long-awaited fulfillment of God's covenant promises, as the "Highest" is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

**How did John "prepare the ways" of the Lord?**

Answer: John's preparation involved both a spiritual and practical dimension. Spiritually, he preached a message of repentance, calling people to turn from their sins and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins ([Luke 3:3](/luke/3-3 "Luke 3:3 - John's Baptism of Repentance")). This act of repentance was crucial for making hearts receptive to the Messiah. He also clarified the identity of the coming One, stating that he himself was not the Christ, but merely His forerunner ([John 1:20-23](/john/1-20-23 "John 1:20-23 - John Denies Being the Christ")). Practically, his ministry gathered a significant following, creating a spiritual movement that drew attention to the imminent arrival of the Messiah. By calling people to a radical change of life and pointing them to the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), John cleared the spiritual "rough places" and "crooked paths" in people's lives, making them ready to receive the King.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 1:76 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the "Lord" whose way John was sent to prepare. John's entire ministry, from his miraculous birth to his powerful preaching in the wilderness, was designed by God to point directly to Jesus. John himself famously declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease" ([John 3:30](/john/3-30 "John 3:30 - John the Baptist's Humility")). When Jesus appeared, John recognized Him as the one he had been preparing the way for, identifying Him as the "Lamb of God" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). John's baptism of Jesus ([Matthew 3:13-17](/matthew/3-13-17 "Matthew 3:13-17 - The Baptism of Jesus")) served as a public anointing and inauguration of Jesus's messianic ministry, signifying the transition from the forerunner's role to the Messiah's active presence. Thus, Luke 1:76 is not merely a prophecy about John, but a foundational declaration anticipating the advent of God in human flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills all Old Testament prophecies and brings salvation to all who believe. John's mission was completed when the "way" was made ready for the King of kings to appear and establish His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Malachi 3:1

¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 40:3

¶ The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Isaiah 40:5

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see [it] together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].

Mark 1:2

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mark 1:3

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Matthew 11:9

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Matthew 11:10

For this is [he], of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.