7 While these were on their way, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?+ A reed being tossed by the wind?+ 8 What, then, did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments?* Why, those wearing soft garments are in the houses of kings. 9 Really, then, why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.+ 10 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Look! I am sending my messenger* ahead of you,* who will prepare your way ahead of you!’+

3 Herod had arrested John and had bound him and imprisoned him because of He·roʹdi·as, the wife of Philip his brother.+ 4 For John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”+ 5 However, although he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they took him for a prophet.+

67 Then Zech·a·riʹah his father was filled with holy spirit, and he prophesied, saying:

76 But as for you, young child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go ahead of Jehovah to prepare his ways,+