Matthew 11:10
For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
This is he of whom it is written, the promised messenger sent ahead of Jesus Christ to prepare His way and to prepare the people for His coming. He was sent by God to go before His only begotten Son, fulfilling the paired prophecy of Matthew 3:3 to prepare the Lord's way and make His paths straight. That work was heralding the Messiah and His kingdom while calling people to repentance and reproving sin.
He was more than a prophet because he pointed people directly to Jesus. Jesus confirmed this mission by declaring him neither unstable like a wind-shaken reed nor a luxuriously dressed man of kings' courts in soft, gorgeously apparelled clothing, but a prophet and much more than a prophet. There was no greater prophet among those born of women, yet he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
His greatness before God lay in moral worth and unselfish service, not in wealth, rank, or display. His plain, rough dress and self-denying life in the wilderness suited his mission to reprove sin and herald the Saviour. That simplicity contrasted with the rich apparel and outward display of the Jewish priests.
He carried out his duty with unwavering faithfulness, standing firm and rebuking sin in rulers and ordinary people alike. He remained steadfast in his calling and loyal to God and to principle even when doing so endangered his life and ultimately cost his life. Though multitudes followed him from place to place and many hoped in their hearts that he himself was the Messiah, he directed their minds away from himself to the coming One.
The rulers rejected him and spoke bitterly against him because he called them and others to repentance. He was the first to suffer for heralding Christ's kingdom, imprisoned by Herod Antipas after faithfully confronting the king about his unlawful marriage. Even so, he did not understand the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom, expecting Jesus to take David's throne and overthrow oppressors.
The message of preparation applies to proclaiming the forgotten truths of the Bible and warning people before God's judgments, so they may accept the truth and be won to Christ. The verse also assures believers that God sends unseen angels ahead to prepare the way before His people as they trust Jesus through sickness, other trials, and even approaching death.