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Luke 3:4
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight."
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Interpretation

Jesus teaches a prepare way that is practiced in planning and improvising in Luke 3:4—consider "written" and "book". Work out prepare way in the use of resources—make truth livable.

Context

This passage belongs to Luke, a gospel narrative witness, developing prepare way. Read in Luke 3, its force becomes clearer. Listen for “written” alongside “book”.

Authorship & Historical Background

Long‑standing tradition credits Luke to Luke the physician (companion of Paul). A common scholarly view of Luke: Anonymous; author also wrote Acts; polished Greek historian‑theologian.. Date: AD 80–90. Readers in view for Luke include Broader Greco‑Roman audience.. A careful narrative for a wide audience. A careful historian-theologian frames a universal horizon.

More details
Traditional:Luke the physician (companion of Paul)
Modern scholarship:Anonymous; author also wrote Acts; polished Greek historian‑theologian.
Date:AD 80–90
Audience:Broader Greco‑Roman audience.
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in thousands of manuscripts. Early papyri (P46, P66, P75) from the 2nd-3rd centuries, along with major uncials like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (4th century), provide strong textual witness. Minor variants exist but do not alter the main meaning.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46