1:2 it is written. By placing this citation of the Old Testament here, Mark intends to show the organic progress of revelation under the divine Lord of history. If the Old Testament is the Gospel’s beginning and source, the Gospel revealed through Jesus Christ is the final and inspired interpretation of the Old Testament message.

the prophet. See text note. The citation is a chain of texts (Ex. 23:20; Mal. 3:1; Is. 40:3) concerning messengers that God had sent by way of preparation.