Through the reference to Elijah, the reader understands that the coming of the day of the Lord coincides with the One who is to come. It becomes clear that a new era is dawning. This makes the call for repentance all the more urgent—the words and actions of John the Baptist, like the return of Elijah, are aimed at a conversion of heart as a preparation for His coming. Therefore, the reader now gets personally involved. The “heralding” of John the Baptist is reported in direct speech, containing elements