Bible Strands
John 1:27
He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John the Baptist addresses a crowd inquiring about his identity, declaring that an unfamiliar figure stands among them despite John’s water baptism. This occurs at Bethany beyond the Jordan while John continues his ministry.
The words — The text highlights ὁ ἐρχόμενος (ho erchomenos, "the coming One") and ἔμπροσθεν (emprosthen, "before") to establish chronological and hierarchical precedence. John explicitly states he is unworthy to perform the menial task of untying this figure's sandal straps.
The thread — This declaration runs parallel to John’s baptismal testimony in Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, and Luke 3:16, where each Synoptic Gospel records the identical claim of unworthiness regarding the sandal strap.
Why it lands — The passage demands recognition of a coming authority who supersedes John’s own ministry. It requires the reader to submit to the superiority of the one who stands among them.
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
He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Cross-references
- Luke 3:16 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.
- 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 1:30 This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’
- John 1:15 John testified concerning Him. He cried out, saying, “This is He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’”
- Acts 19:4 Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”