Streams of Tradition Emerging From Isaiaii 40:1-5 and Their Adaptation in the New Testament

Abstract

Isaiah 40:1-5 quickly became for Judaism a classic expres sion of God's comfort and salvation. The use that the New Testament makes of this passage in describing the Christ event cannot be adequately appreciated without an awareness of its use by various witnesses from Judaism. This text is important for all the evangelists and especially for Mark and Luke. The wording of Isaiah 40:3-5 has helped to pro vide the material for the formation of several Lukan texts.