See in Reader
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Connecting Statement:
Jesus continues to talk to the crowds about John the Baptist.
General Information:
In verse 10, Jesus quotes the prophet Malachi to show that the life and ministry of John the Baptist fulfilled prophecy.
But what did you go out to see—a prophet?
Jesus uses a question to make the people think about what kind of man John the Baptist is. AT: "But surely you went out to the desert to see a prophet!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)
and much more than a prophet
This can be translated as a complete sentence. AT: "he is not an ordinary prophet" or "he is more important than a normal prophet" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis)
This is he of whom it was written
This can be stated in active form. AT: "This is what the prophet Malachi wrote long ago about John the Baptist" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)
I am sending my messenger
The pronouns "I" and "my" refer to God. Malachi is quoting what God said.
before your face
Here "your" is singular, because God was speaking to the Messiah in the quotation. Also, "face" refers to the whole person. AT: "in front of you" or "to go ahead of you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)
prepare your way before you
This is a metaphor that means the messenger will prepare the people to receive the Messiah's message. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)