The phrase is reminiscent of an Old Testament prophet whose role was to function as a spokesperson for God (e.g., 2 Chronicles 24:19; 2 Chronicles 25:15; Jeremiah 7:27; Jeremiah 25:4; Jeremiah 28:9; Jeremiah 35:15; Jeremiah 44:4; Ezekiel 2:3).1 This phrase is thus used to emphasize that a man (John the Baptist) was a prophet of God sent to accomplish a very particular mission. His mission had been prophesied in Malachi 4:5–6 and was once again outlined in Luke 1:17, Luke 1:76–79.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.