MARK 1:3 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Φωνή
2. fōnē
3. +The voice
4. voice
5. 54560
6. N····NFS
7. ˓the˒ voice
8. ˓the˒ voice
9. BS
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21607
1. βοῶντος
2. boaō
3. of +a shouting one
4. shouting
5. 9940
6. VPPA·GMS
7. ˱of˲ ˓a˒ shouting ‹one›
8. ˱of˲ ˓a˒ shouting ‹one›
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21608
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21609
1. τῇ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21610
1. ἐρήμῳ
2. erēmos
3. wilderness
4. wilderness
5. 20480
6. S····DFS
7. wilderness
8. desert
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21611
1. Ἑτοιμάσατε
2. hetoimazō
3. prepare
4. -
5. 20900
6. VMAA2··P
7. prepare
8. prepare
9. D
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21612
1. τήν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21613
1. ὁδόν
2. hodos
3. way
4. path
5. 35980
6. N····AFS
7. way
8. way
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21614
1. Κυρίου
2. kurios
3. of +the master
4. Yahweh
5. 29620
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ master
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ Lord
9. GN
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21615
1. εὐθείας
2. euthus
3. straight
4. -
5. 21170
6. S····AFP
7. straight
8. straight
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21616
1. ποιεῖτε
2. poieō
3. be making
4. -
5. 41600
6. VMPA2··P
7. ˓be˒ making
8. ˓be˒ making
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21617
1. τάς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AFP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21618
1. τρίβους
2. tribos
3. paths
4. -
5. 51470
6. N····AFP
7. paths
8. paths
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21619
1. τρίβου
2. tribos
3. -
4. -
5. 51470
6. N····GFS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ path
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ path
9. -
10. -
11. 21620
1. αὐτοῦ
2. autos
3. of him
4. him
5. 8460
6. R···3GMS
7. ˱of˲ him
8. ˱of˲ him
9. -
10. TJohn_the_Baptist_Begins_Ministry
11. 21621
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. ˱of˲ the
8. ˱of˲ the
9. -
10. -
11. 21622
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. -
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Person=God
11. 21623
1. ὑμῶν
2. su
3. -
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you
8. ˱of˲ you
9. -
10. -
11. 21624
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. every
8. every
9. -
10. -
11. 21625
1. φάραγξ
2. faragx
3. -
4. -
5. 53270
6. N····NFS
7. valley
8. valley
9. -
10. -
11. 21626
1. πληρωθήσεται
2. plēroō
3. -
4. -
5. 41370
6. VIFP3··S
7. ˓will_be_being˒ filled
8. ˓will_be_being˒ filled
9. -
10. -
11. 21627
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21628
1. παν
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NNS
7. every
8. every
9. -
10. -
11. 21629
1. ὄρος
2. oros
3. -
4. -
5. 37350
6. N····NNS
7. mountain
8. mountain
9. -
10. -
11. 21630
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21631
1. βουνός
2. bounos
3. -
4. -
5. 10150
6. N····NMS
7. hill
8. hill
9. -
10. -
11. 21632
1. ταπεινωθήσεται
2. tapeinoō
3. -
4. -
5. 50130
6. VIFP3··S
7. ˓will_be_being˒ humbled
8. ˓will_be_being˒ humbled
9. -
10. -
11. 21633
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21634
1. ἔσται
2. eimi
3. -
4. -
5. 15100
6. VIFM3··S
7. will_be
8. will_be
9. -
10. -
11. 21635
1. παντᾶ
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NNP
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. -
11. 21636
1. τά
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NNP
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. -
11. 21637
1. σκολιά
2. skolios
3. -
4. -
5. 46460
6. S····NNP
7. crooked ‹places›
8. crooked ‹places›
9. -
10. -
11. 21638
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. -
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. into
8. into
9. -
10. -
11. 21639
1. εὐθεῖαν
2. euthus
3. -
4. -
5. 21170
6. S····AFS
7. straight
8. straight
9. -
10. -
11. 21640
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21641
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21642
1. τραχεῖα
2. traχus
3. -
4. -
5. 51380
6. S····NFS
7. rough
8. rough
9. -
10. -
11. 21643
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. -
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. into
8. into
9. -
10. -
11. 21644
1. πεδίον
2. pedion
3. -
4. -
5. 39775
6. N····NNS
7. flat
8. flat
9. -
10. -
11. 21645
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21646
1. ὀφθήσεται
2. horaō
3. -
4. -
5. 37080
6. VIFP3··S
7. ˓will_be_being˒ seen
8. ˓will_be_being˒ seen
9. -
10. -
11. 21647
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21648
1. δόξα
2. doxa
3. -
4. -
5. 13910
6. N····NFS
7. glory
8. glory
9. -
10. -
11. 21649
1. Κυρίου
2. kurios
3. -
4. -
5. 29620
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ master
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ Lord
9. GN
10. -
11. 21650
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21651
1. ὄψεται
2. horaō
3. -
4. -
5. 37080
6. VIFM3··S
7. ˓will_be˒ seeing
8. ˓will_be˒ seeing
9. -
10. -
11. 21652
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. -
11. 21653
1. σάρξ
2. sarx
3. -
4. -
5. 45610
6. N····NFS
7. flesh
8. flesh
9. -
10. -
11. 21654
1. τό
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21655
1. σωτήριον
2. sōtērios
3. -
4. -
5. 49920
6. S····ANS
7. salvation
8. salvation
9. -
10. -
11. 21656
1. τοῦ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMS
7. ˱of˲ the
8. ˱of˲ the
9. -
10. -
11. 21657
1. Θεοῦ
2. theos
3. -
4. -
5. 23160
6. N····GMS
7. god
8. God
9. GN
10. Person=God
11. 21658
1. ὅτι
2. hoti
3. -
4. -
5. 37540
6. C·······
7. because
8. because
9. -
10. -
11. 21659
1. Κύριος
2. kurios
3. -
4. -
5. 29620
6. N····NMS
7. ˓the˒ master
8. ˓the˒ Lord
9. GN
10. -
11. 21660
1. ἐλάλησεν
2. laleō
3. -
4. -
5. 29800
6. VIAA3··S
7. spoke ‹it›
8. spoke ‹it›
9. -
10. -
11. 21661
1. φωνή
2. fōnē
3. -
4. -
5. 54560
6. N····NFS
7. ˓a˒ voice
8. ˓a˒ voice
9. -
10. F21582
11. 21662
1. λέγοντος
2. legō
3. -
4. -
5. 30040
6. VPPA·GNS
7. saying
8. saying
9. -
10. -
11. 21663
1. βόησον
2. boaō
3. -
4. -
5. 9940
6. VMAA2··S
7. shout
8. shout
9. -
10. -
11. 21664
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21665
1. εἶπα
2. legō
3. -
4. -
5. 30040
6. VIAA1··S
7. ˱I˲ said
8. ˱I˲ said
9. -
10. -
11. 21666
1. τί
2. tis
3. -
4. -
5. 51010
6. R····ANS
7. what
8. what
9. -
10. -
11. 21667
1. βοήσω
2. boaō
3. -
4. -
5. 9940
6. VIFA1··S
7. ˱I˲ ˓will˒ shout
8. ˱I˲ ˓will˒ shout
9. -
10. -
11. 21668
1. ὅτι
2. hoti
3. -
4. -
5. 37540
6. C·······
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. -
11. 21669
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. -
11. 21670
1. σάρξ
2. sarx
3. -
4. -
5. 45610
6. N····NFS
7. flesh ‹is›
8. flesh ‹is›
9. -
10. -
11. 21671
1. χόρτος
2. χortos
3. -
4. -
5. 55280
6. N····NMS
7. grass
8. grass
9. -
10. -
11. 21672
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21673
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. -
11. 21674
1. ἡ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21675
1. δόξα
2. doxa
3. -
4. -
5. 13910
6. N····NFS
7. glory
8. glory
9. -
10. -
11. 21676
1. αὐτῆς
2. autos
3. -
4. -
5. 8460
6. R···3GFS
7. ˱of˲ him
8. ˱of˲ him
9. -
10. -
11. 21677
1. ὡς
2. hōs
3. -
4. -
5. 56130
6. C·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. -
11. 21678
1. ἄνθος
2. anthos
3. -
4. -
5. 4380
6. N····NNS
7. ˓a˒ flower
8. ˓a˒ flower
9. -
10. -
11. 21679
1. χόρτου
2. χortos
3. -
4. -
5. 55280
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ grass
8. ˱of˲ grass
9. -
10. -
11. 21680
1. ἐξηράνθη
2. xērainō
3. -
4. -
5. 35830
6. VIAP3··S
7. ˓was˒ withered
8. ˓was˒ withered
9. -
10. -
11. 21681
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21682
1. χόρτος
2. χortos
3. -
4. -
5. 55280
6. N····NMS
7. grass
8. grass
9. -
10. -
11. 21683
1. καί
2. kai
3. -
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. -
11. 21684
1. τό
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21685
1. ἄνθος
2. anthos
3. -
4. -
5. 4380
6. N····NNS
7. flower
8. flower
9. -
10. -
11. 21686
1. ἐξέπεσεν
2. ekpiptō
3. -
4. -
5. 16010
6. VIAA3··S
7. fell
8. fell
9. -
10. -
11. 21687
1. τό
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21688
1. δέ
2. de
3. -
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. -
11. 21689
1. ῥῆμα
2. rhēma
3. -
4. -
5. 44870
6. N····NNS
7. message
8. word
9. -
10. -
11. 21690
1. Κυρίου
2. kurios
3. -
4. -
5. 29620
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ master
8. ˱of˲ ˓the˒ Lord
9. GN
10. -
11. 21691
1. μένει
2. menō
3. -
4. -
5. 33060
6. VIPA3··S
7. ˓is˒ remaining
8. ˓is˒ remaining
9. -
10. -
11. 21692
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. -
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. to
8. to
9. -
10. -
11. 21693
1. τόν
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 21694
1. αἰῶνα
2. aiōn
3. -
4. -
5. 1650
6. N····AMS
7. ages
8. ages
9. -
10. -
11. 21695

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–8: God sent John the Baptizer to prepare the people to receive Jesus

These notes have divided this section into three paragraphs:

1:1 serves as an introduction both to section 1:1–8 and to the book as a whole.

1:2–3 introduces John the Baptizer by quoting the Old Testament verses that predict his ministry.

1:4–8 describes John, his ministry and his message.

In some languages it may be more natural to make different paragraph breaks. For example:

1:1–3 and 1:4–8 (GNT, NCV)
1:1–8 (NRSV, REB, NAB, NJB)

Divide the paragraphs in a way that will fit the style of your language.

It is good to translate the section before you decide on a section heading for it. You will need to use terms in the heading that you have used in the verses within the section. For example, before you write a section heading for this section, you will need to know how you have translated the word “Baptizer.” See the note on 1:4a.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The preaching of John the Baptizer

John prepared people for Jesus to arrive

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 3:1–12; Luke 3:1–18; and John 1:19–28.

Paragraph 1:2–3

The quotes in 1:2–3 come from two books of the Old Testament. The quote in 1:3 is from Isaiah 40:3. The quote in 1:2 is from Malachi 3:1. Some parts of 1:2–3 may also be from Exodus 23:20. Mark mentioned only Isaiah. Consider whether it would be helpful to your readers to use footnotes to give the references for these Old Testament quotations.

1:3a

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

His voice will be heard in the wilderness, shouting,
He will be in the region with no inhabitants, and he will call out to those who come to hear him, saying,
He will stay in remote areas and announce to people that

A voice of one calling in the wilderness: The words A voice of one calling in the wilderness refer to the messenger who was mentioned in 1:2c. The messenger would prepare the way for the Christ by shouting out God’s message in the wilderness. The messenger had not yet come at the time when Isaiah was writing. He was writing about what would happen in the future. So in many languages it will be necessary to use the future tense here in 1:3a, as well as in 1:2b–c. For example:

A voice of one will be calling in the wilderness

A voice of one calling: In this context the phrase A voice is a figure of speech. The voice represents the “messenger” whom God was sending. If it will not be clear that the voice and the “messenger” refer to the same person, you may need to make this explicit.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

He is a voice shouting (NLT)

He will call out…

The messenger’s voice will call out…

calling: The Greek word that the BSB translates as calling refers to shouting or speaking in a loud voice. Be sure that your translation does not imply that John was angry or insane. Use a term that describes speaking loudly so that people can hear the words clearly.

in the wilderness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as wilderness refers to an area where few people live. Some versions translate this word as “desert,” but this does not necessarily refer to a dry, sandy desert. Some languages have a special word to refer to such areas, such as “the bush” (Africa) or “steppes” (Asia).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

land with few people

place with no inhabitants

wild, open area

Because the wilderness was an area where few or no people lived, 1:3a may imply that John was calling out loudly with no one to listen. If so, you may need to make explicit that people went to listen to him. For example:

He will shout out to those who go to listen to him in the wilderness.

1:3b–c

This part of the verse is from the Old Testament. It consists of two lines of poetry that have similar meanings. These two lines also contain a quote within a quote. See the General Comment on 1:3b–c below for advice on these two issues.

1:3b

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

‘Prepare^(plur) the way for the Lord’s coming,
‘Prepare yourselves for the Lord’s arrival,
they must get ready for God the Lord to come.

Prepare the way: This phrase is a metaphor that has the same meaning as the similar phrase in 1:2c (see the note there). Both metaphors use the illustration of preparing a road for a king’s arrival. These metaphors indicate that people should prepare their minds and hearts for the coming of the Lord.

It is good to use similar words in translating both metaphors. However, if you made some details explicit in 1:2c, you may be able to translate more simply here. Your translation should sound like natural speech for someone who is proclaiming a message to people.

the Lord: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Lord means “master, one who has authority over others.” Here it refers to God. It is a translation of God’s personal name in Hebrew. In this context it indicates that God was coming to people as the Messiah.

Here are some other ways to translate Lord:

Master/Chief

Ruler

In some languages people may not naturally use a word that means “master” to refer to God. If speakers of your language do not understand that your word for “Lord” refers to God in this context, here are other ways to translate it:

Use your word for God.
Use your word for God and indicate that he is the Lord. For example:
God the Lord
Master God

If you include the word for God in your translation of Lord, you may want to include a footnote to give the literal Greek meaning. For example:

Here the Greek text is literally “Lord.”

See Lord, Context 2, in the Glossary.

1:3c

make straight paths for Him.’”

straighten^(plur) the paths that he will take.’ ”
so that his path will be straight.’ ”
They must fix the path on which he will travel.”

make straight paths for Him: The phrase make straight paths for Him is a metaphor. It refers to the same action as the metaphor in 1:3b. It explains how to prepare the way. People prepared a path by making the crooked places straight. The GNT translates this as:

make a straight path for him to travel (GNT)

General Comment on 1:3b–c

In 1:3b and 1:3c Mark referred to the same activity. In some languages you may need to make this clear in some way. For example:

Prepare the road/path for the Lord’s coming by making it straight.

Clear and straighten the road that the Lord will take so that it will be ready for his coming.

In 1:3b–c Mark was quoting God, and God was saying the words that his messenger would shout to people. This is a quote within a quote. In some languages you may need to use an indirect quote for the words of the messenger. For example:

^3a–cHe will shout in the wilderness, announcing to those who go to listen that they should prepare the road for the Lord’s coming. They should make it straight and smooth.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

φωνὴ βοῶντος

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Φωνή βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ἑτοιμάσατε τήν ὁδόν Κυρίου εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τάς τρίβους αὐτοῦ)

The author of the quotation is using voice to represent a person speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a person calling out] or [someone calling out]

Note 2 topic: writing-quotations

βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ,

˱of˲_˓a˒_shouting_‹one› in the desert

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [of one calling out in the wilderness and saying] or [of one calling out in the wilderness, declaring]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / quotesinquotes

ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ

in the desert (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Φωνή βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ἑτοιμάσατε τήν ὁδόν Κυρίου εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τάς τρίβους αὐτοῦ)

If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. If you do, you will need to delete the single quotation mark at the end of this quotation. Alternate translation: [the wilderness that people must make ready the way of the Lord, that they must make his paths straight]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. However, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could connect the phrases with a connecting word in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. Alternate translation: [Make ready the way of the Lord, yes, make his paths straight]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἑτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, εὐθείας ποιεῖτε τὰς τρίβους αὐτοῦ

Here the author of the quotation speaks as if people should build or maintain roads for the Lord to travel on as he comes to visit his people. He means that people need to be living and acting in proper ways when the Lord appears to his people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the metaphor in simile form or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Live and behave in a way that pleases God, as if you were making a road ready for him to travel on]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / yousingular

ἑτοιμάσατε & ποιεῖτε

Because the person who is crying out is speaking to many people, the commands Make ready and make are plural.

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear MARK 1:3

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)