Did Malachi foresee the ministry of John the Baptist?

Answer 1

A:The two passages in the Book of Malachi most often proposed as references to John the Baptist are: 3:1: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." 4:5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:"

Both passages are written by Malachi as warnings to the people of Judah, and it is indeed possible to read Malachi 3:1 as referring to John the Baptist, who is is portrayed in the gospels as a messenger for Jesus. The word 'Malachi', used in the title of the book, actually means 'messenger' and the book's author was the messenger prior to the advent of Christianity.

Malachi 4:5 is less clear. Mark's Gospel was the first New Testament gospel to be written, and likens both John and Jesus to Elijah, so it is not certain which of the two the author of Mark really wanted to portray as Elijah.

On the one hand, Mark 1:6 describes the appearance of John the Baptist as reminiscent of Elijah in the Old Testament, and Mark 1:1-8 portrays him as a messenger for the coming of Jesus. On the other hand, several passages in the Gospel draw parallels between Jesus and Elijah, including the 40 days in the wilderness, the Transfiguration, the people believed Jesus to be Elijah (Mark 8:27-28). Another possibility is that when the Gospel describes Elijah appearing at the Transfiguration, this was intended to fulfil the promise in Malachi 4:5 to send Elijah.

The gospel genre relies on events described in words reminiscent of Old Testament passages that appear to be prophecies of Jesus. It is not only possible, but intended by the gospel authors themselves, that we accept the Old Testament as foreshadowing the life of Jesus. Christians may therefore consider the Book of Malachi as foreseeing the ministry of John the Baptist.

Answer 2

The angel Gabriel told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth was going to have a baby (which was John the Baptist). Prior to that an angel (doesn't tell his name) tells Zacharias that he and Elizabeth are going to have a son and his name will be called John. This story can be found in Luke chapter one.

Answer 3

The prophet Isaiah had foretold that a man would arise to prepare the way for the Messiah's vital work. (Isaiah 40:3) That forerunner was John the Baptist.

Answer 4

Malachi