Bible Strands
Acts 13:25
As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But there is One coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a synagogue congregation in Antioch, marking the conclusion of John the Baptist’s public ministry immediately before announcing the arrival of Jesus.
The words — ἐπλήρου (eplērou) means “was fulfilling” and denotes John’s deliberate completion of his assigned task, while ἔλεγεν (elegen) records his direct speech identifying the coming One.
The thread — This declaration mirrors John’s own testimony in John 1:26 and the parallel gospel records in Matthew 3:11 and Mark 1:7, where he consistently defers to the superior figure following him.
Why it lands — The text requires the listener to acknowledge John’s preparatory role and shift focus entirely to the One whose sandals he refuses to untie, establishing a clear boundary between forerunner and Messiah.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
Cross-references
- Matthew 3:11 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.
- Mark 1:7 And he proclaimed: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
- John 1:26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.
- Luke 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.
- John 1:20 He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
- Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
- Mark 6:16 But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”
- John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- John 1:34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
- John 1:36 When he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”