“This is the one
About whom
It is written.
‘See!
I am sending
My messenger
Ahead of you.
He will prepare
Your way
Before you.’”
οὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου, ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου.
This written passage about John (οὗτός ἐστιν περὶ οὗ γέγραπται) is from the prophet Malachi, chapter 3:1, although not explicitly mentioned here. This saying about John the Baptist can be found word for word in Luke, chapter 7:27. Thus, this may have been a Q source about John, like many of the other passages about John. Actually, Mark, chapter 1:2, had part of this saying as the beginning of his gospel when he introduced John. In Malachi, Yahweh was going to send his messenger or angel before him or his face (Ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω τὸν ἄγγελόν μου πρὸ προσώπου σου) to prepare the way for him (ὃς κατασκευάσει τὴν ὁδόν σου ἔμπροσθέν σου). Originally, Yahweh would re-enter into his Temple, because the messenger of the delightful covenant had prepared things for him. There is no mention of the Temple here. John was clearly inferior to Jesus, since he was there to prepare the way for Jesus as his messenger, much like an angel of God.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 