Luke 3:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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:

Complete Jewish Bible:

so Yochanan answered them all, "I am immersing you in water, but he who is coming is more powerful than I -- I'm not worthy to untie his sandals! He will immerse you in the Ruach HaKodesh and in fire.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

John^{G2491} answered^{G611}, saying^{G3004} unto them all^{G537}, I^{G1473} indeed^{G3303} baptize^{G907} you^{G5209} with water^{G5204}; but^{G1161} one mightier than^{G2478} I^{G3450} cometh^{G2064}, the latchet^{G2438} of whose^{{G3739}{G846}} shoes^{G5266} I am^{G1510} not^{G3756} worthy^{G2425} to unloose^{G3089}: he^{G846} shall baptize^{G907} you^{G5209} with^{G1722} the Holy^{G40} Ghost^{G4151} and^{G2532} with fire^{G4442}:

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Commentary for Luke 3:16

Luke 3:16 is a pivotal verse in the Gospel of Luke, capturing a moment when John the Baptist is addressing the crowd, including perhaps the Pharisees and Sadducees who had come to observe his ministry. The historical context is set in the wilderness of the Jordan River, where John has been preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, preparing the way for the Messiah.

In this verse, John the Baptist is distinguishing his own role from that of the coming Messiah, whom he acknowledges to be far greater than himself. The themes of humility and unworthiness are evident as John expresses that he is not even worthy to untie the straps of the Messiah's sandals—a task reserved for the lowest of servants. This declaration underscores the immense respect and recognition John has for the one to come.

The central theme of the verse is the contrast between John's water baptism and the Messiah's baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire. While John baptizes with water as a symbol of repentance and cleansing, the Messiah's baptism is of a different nature and power—spiritual and transformative. The mention of the Holy Ghost refers to the indwelling presence of God's Spirit, which would empower believers, while the baptism with fire suggests a purifying and refining process, as well as the powerful, eschatological judgment that the Messiah would bring.

This verse looks forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, who inaugurates a new era of God's interaction with humanity through his life, death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as recorded in the book of Acts. The themes of spiritual renewal, empowerment, and eschatological judgment continue to resonate throughout the New Testament and are foundational to Christian theology and eschatology.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2491
   There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἰωάννης
   Transliteration: Iōánnēs
   Pronunciation: ee-o-an'-nace
   Description: of Hebrew origin (יוֹחָנָן); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John.
   
2. Strong's Number: G611
   There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι
   Transliteration: apokrínomai
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee
   Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
4. Strong's Number: G537
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἅπας
   Transliteration: hápas
   Pronunciation: hap'-as
   Description: from Α (as a particle of union) and πᾶς; absolutely all or (singular) every one:--all (things), every (one), whole.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1473
   There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγώ
   Transliteration: egṓ
   Pronunciation: eg-o'
   Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3303
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μέν
   Transliteration: mén
   Pronunciation: men
   Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense.
   
7. Strong's Number: G907
   There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βαπτίζω
   Transliteration: baptízō
   Pronunciation: bap-tid'-zo
   Description: from a derivative of βάπτω; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5209
   There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμᾶς
   Transliteration: hymâs
   Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
   Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
   
9. Strong's Number: G5204
   There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὕδωρ
   Transliteration: hýdōr
   Pronunciation: hoo'-dat-os
   Description: from the base of ὑετός; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:--water.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration: dé
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
    
11. Strong's Number: G2478
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἰσχυρός
    Transliteration: ischyrós
    Pronunciation: is-khoo-ros'
    Description: from ἰσχύς; forcible (literally or figuratively):--boisterous, mighty(-ier), powerful, strong(-er, man), valiant.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3450
    There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοῦ
    Transliteration: moû
    Pronunciation: moo
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2438
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἱμάς
    Transliteration: himás
    Pronunciation: hee-mas'
    Description: perhaps from the same as ἅμα; a strap, i.e. (specially) the tie (of a sandal) or the lash (of a scourge):--latchet, thong.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
16. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
17. Strong's Number: G5266
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑπόδημα
    Transliteration: hypódēma
    Pronunciation: hoop-od'-ay-mah
    Description: from ὑποδέω; something bound under the feet, i.e. a shoe or sandal:--shoe.
    
18. Strong's Number: G1510
    There are 137 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἰμί
    Transliteration: eimí
    Pronunciation: i-mee'
    Description: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic):--am, have been, X it is I, was. See also εἶ, εἴην, εἶναι, εἰσί, ἦν, ἔσομαι, ἐσμέν, ἐστέ, ἐστί, κέρδος, ἴσθι, ὦ.
    
19. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
20. Strong's Number: G2425
    There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἱκανός
    Transliteration: hikanós
    Pronunciation: hik-an-os'
    Description: from ( or , akin to ἥκω) (to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character):--able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.
    
21. Strong's Number: G3089
    There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λύω
    Transliteration: lýō
    Pronunciation: loo'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to "loosen" (literally or figuratively):--break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-)loose, melt, put off. Compare ῥήγνυμι.
    
22. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
23. Strong's Number: G40
    There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἅγιος
    Transliteration: hágios
    Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
    Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
    
24. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
    
25. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
26. Strong's Number: G4442
    There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πῦρ
    Transliteration: pŷr
    Pronunciation: poor
    Description: a primary word; "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning):--fiery, fire.