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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John the Baptist speaks to the crowds gathering at his baptism site, delivering this declaration between his description of his own ascetic appearance and his promise of Spirit baptism.

The words — The text emphasizes ἰσχυρὸτερος (ischuroteros), literally "mightier" or "more powerful," and ἔρχεται (erchetai), meaning "comes" or "will come."

The thread — This proclamation appears in parallel form at Luke 3:16 and John 1:27, and is explicitly quoted in Acts 13:25 as John concludes his public ministry.

Why it lands — The text states that a coming figure possesses superior power and warrants a level of deference John refuses to give, requiring the reader to acknowledge human limitation before divine authority.

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 preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

Cross-references

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.’
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.
John 1:27 He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
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.
Luke 7:6 So Jesus went with them. But when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.
John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’
Matthew 3:14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”