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Epiphany · The Presentation of Our Lord · Year A

Malachi 3:1-4

The Messenger Who Purifies

February 2, 2026

Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple, El Greco
Christ Driving the Money Changers from the Temple, El Greco, c. 1570Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
An early El Greco from his Italian years, still Venetian in colour. The cleansing happens in a classical portico, with portraits of Titian and Michelangelo tucked into the corner.Malachi asks who can endure the day of his coming, because he will purify the sons of Levi; Isaiah calls the temple a house of prayer for all peoples, which is the line Jesus quotes while doing this.El GrecoA Cretan icon painter who trained in Venice and settled in Toledo, where he stretched his figures into something no other century has imitated successfully.Minneapolis Institute of Art, MinneapolisA Midwestern encyclopaedic museum founded in 1883 by a citizens' society, and free to enter.Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:22-40Lk 2:22-40
EpistleHeb. 2:14-18Heb 2:14-18
Old TestamentMal. 3:1-4Mal 3:1-4
PsalterPs. 84Ps 84

Overview & Insights

"See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple." (Malachi 3:1)

Malachi announces that the Lord's messenger will prepare the way for the Lord's sudden arrival at the temple. That coming will refine and purify the priesthood like a smelter's fire, until Judah's offerings again please the Lord as in former days.

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Commentary

Commentary on Malachi 3:1-4Commentary on Mal 3:1-4 Working Preacher · Luther Seminary

The RCL's own preaching commentary on the messenger who prepares the Lord's way.

Malachi 3:1-4 CommentaryMal 3:1-4 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching-focused reading of the refiner's fire that purifies Judah.

Malachi 3 - The Coming MessengerMal 3 - The Coming Messenger Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the messenger and the refining fire.

Malachi Commentaries and SermonsMal Commentaries and Sermons Precept Austin

An inductive study gateway with word studies and cross references across Malachi.

Malachi 3:1 CommentariesMal 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the coming messenger and refiner.

Malachi 3 Verse-by-Verse CommentaryMal 3 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight

Gill's Exposition read straight through the chapter for a further expositional voice.

Background & Word Study

Malachi 3:1-4 (Hebrew and English)Mal 3:1-4 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

The Hebrew of the passage alongside English with linked Jewish commentary.

Malachi 3:1 InterlinearMal 3:1 Interlinear BibleHub

The Hebrew of the passage word by word with parsing and lexical helps.

The Church Fathers

Malachi 3 (Catena)Mal 3 (Catena) Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on the messenger who purifies the temple's offerings.

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