Luke 3:16
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One 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 with fire.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
On these verses see Mat 3:11, Mat 3:12, and Mar 1:7, Mar 1:8, and particularly the note on Joh 3:5 (note).
Open source ↗John answered--either to the deputation from Jerusalem (see Joh 1:19, &c.), or on some other occasion, simply to remove impressions derogatory to his blessed Master which he knew to be taking hold of the popular mind. (Also see on Mat 3:10.) saying unto them all--in solemn protestation. So far from entertaining such a thought as laying claim to the honors of Messiahship, the meanest services I can render to that "Mightier than I that is coming after me," are too high an honor for me. Beautiful spirit, distinguishing this servant of Christ throughout! one mightier than I--"the Mighter than I."
Open source ↗3:16 I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals: The untying of sandals was done only by slaves (to make this connection clear, the NLT adds be his slave and). John thus greatly honored the Messiah. • baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: The Old Testament prophets predicted that in the last days, God would pour out his Spirit on his people (Isa 32:15, Ezek 36:28-29; Joel 2:28). This prophecy was at least partially fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Fire is an image of judgment (see Luke 3:9); it also has the power to cleanse and refine God’s people (see 1 Cor 3:10-15; cp. Isa 4:4; Mal 3:2).
Open source ↗From the web
What trusted teachers and preachers say about this passage, from around the web.
learn.ligonier.org
Open source ↗ca.thegospelcoalition.org
Open source ↗learn.ligonier.org
Open source ↗desiringgod.org
Open source ↗desiringgod.org
Open source ↗thegospelcoalition.org
Open source ↗learn.ligonier.org
Open source ↗desiringgod.org
Open source ↗biblicaltraining.org
Open source ↗thegospelcoalition.org
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.
This third I will bring through the fire;I will refine them like silverand test them like gold.They will call on My name,and I will answer them.I will say, ‘They are My people,’and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest.
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.