What does Luke 3:16 mean?

John the Baptist is responding to those who wonder if he is the Promised One: the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah 9:6–7). In Greek, this title is Christos, from which we get the English title Christ. Whenever this question came up, John made it explicitly clear that he was not the Savior (John 1:19–20; 3:28–30). Here, he explains that the Redeemer promised by God is far greater than he is.

Part of this comparison involves sandals. In that era, people walked through dusty, dirty paths. Touching another person's feet was a sign of submission. Lowly servants were the ones assigned to wash the feet of guests—this was part of the message in Jesus' ministry to the disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:1–7). John the Baptist amplifies this concept by saying he is not even worthy to untie Messiah's sandals.

John's ministry involved baptism, which is transliterated from the Greek word baptizō, and literally means "immersion or submersion," usually with an emphasis on cleaning. The cleansing which comes from Messiah involves the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:13–14) and fire (Malachi 3:2; Hebrews 12:29). The baptism offered by the Savior goes well beyond physical rituals or changes (1 Peter 3:21).

Some interpreters suggest an additional—or even different—meaning in John's statement. Some believe he is referring to two separate "baptisms." In that view, Christ's ministry brings believers into the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; 2:38), while unbelievers are brought under the fiery judgment of God (2 Peter 3:7; John 3:36). The very next part of John's explanation includes imagery about separating believers from nonbelievers (Luke 3:17).