Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
1:76-77 And you, my little son: Zechariah turned from speaking about the coming Messiah to address his newborn son, John, who would prepare the Messiah’s way. • called the prophet of the Most High: John was the last and greatest in the line of Old Testament prophets (see 7:28). • prepare the way for the Lord: See Isa 40:3.
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.
And thou, child, Prophet of the Highest Shalt thou be called; For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, To prepare His ways.
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
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;
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
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;
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.
And you, child, will be named the prophet of the Most High: you will go before the face of the Lord, to make ready his ways;