Luke 3:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

NIV: John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

NASB: John responded to them all, saying, 'As for me, I baptize you with water; but He is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the straps of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

CSB: John answered them all, "I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

NLT: John answered their questions by saying, 'I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

KJV: John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

NKJV: John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

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).

Luke 3:7–22 is a relatively brief explanation of John the Baptist's ministry. John's preaching calls on people to repent and turn from their sins. At the same time, he is careful to declare that he is not Christ—John is only a herald of the Messiah. Luke's account quickly summarizes this message, John's conflict with Herod the Tetrarch, and the baptism of Jesus. Parallel accounts are found in Matthew 3, Mark 1:1–11, and John 1:19–34.

The early part of Luke's gospel shifts back and forth between the histories of Jesus and John the Baptist. Chapter 3 starts with historical and prophetic context about John. It then depicts some of John's interactions with local religious leaders. Luke gives only a brief description of Jesus' baptism. He also touches on John's criticism of Herod the Tetrarch, which would eventually result in John's execution (Matthew 14:10–12). The chapter ends with a genealogy of Christ.

Chapters 1 and 2 provided early history for both John the Baptist and Jesus. Chapter 3 establishes John's preaching ministry and its connection to Jesus Christ. The chapter ends with a genealogy which some believe runs through Mary's side of the family. Chapter 4 transitions from Jesus' baptism into His public ministry, by describing His fasting in the wilderness and temptation by Satan.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.