John 1:27

KJV

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

KJV (with Strong's)

He {G846} it is {G2076}, who {G3739} coming {G2064} after {G3694} me {G3450} is preferred {G1096} before {G1715} me {G3450}, whose {G3739}{G846} shoe's {G5266} latchet {G2438} I {G1473} am {G1510} not {G3756} worthy {G514} to {G2443} unloose {G3089}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He is the one coming after me — I’m not good enough even to untie his sandal!”

Berean Standard Bible

He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

American Standard Version

even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John the Baptist's declaration in John 1:27 serves as a profound testament to his humility and the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Amidst questioning about his own identity, John emphatically points away from himself, asserting that the one coming after him holds a preeminence so vast that John is unworthy to perform even the most menial task of a slave, such as untying his sandal strap. This verse powerfully establishes Jesus' unparalleled dignity and divine status, setting the stage for His public ministry as the long-awaited Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the opening prologue of John's Gospel, which establishes the divine nature and pre-existence of the Word (Jesus) before transitioning to the testimony of John the Baptist. From [John 1:19-28](/john/1-19-28 "John the Baptist's Testimony") specifically, John is confronted by a delegation of priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem, demanding to know his identity and the authority by which he baptizes. John consistently deflects attention from himself, denying he is the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet. Instead, he identifies himself as "the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord" ([John 1:23](/john/1-23 "John the Baptist's Identity")), quoting [Isaiah 40:3](/isaiah/40-3 "Isaiah's Prophecy of the Forerunner"). Verse 27 is the climax of this humble self-identification, serving as a direct and definitive statement about the one for whom he is preparing the way, distinguishing his own role as forerunner from the unparalleled status of the Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The delegation from Jerusalem, composed of priests and Levites, signifies the official religious authority's concern and scrutiny over John's popular ministry. Their questions reflect the fervent messianic expectations prevalent in first-century Judaism, alongside the anticipation of Elijah's return (Malachi 4:5) and a "prophet like Moses" (Deuteronomy 18:15). In ancient Near Eastern culture, the act of unloosing or carrying a master's sandals was considered the most demeaning and servile task, typically reserved for the lowest of servants or even Gentile slaves for Jewish masters. A Jewish disciple would never be expected to perform such a task for his rabbi. John's hyperbolic statement, therefore, profoundly communicates his deep reverence and recognition of Jesus' divine dignity, placing Jesus in a category far above any human teacher or prophet, and John himself in a position of utter unworthiness in comparison.
* **Key Themes:** John 1:27 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John. Foremost is the **Preeminence of Christ**, emphasizing that Jesus is not merely a successor to John but holds an inherently superior rank and divine nature, as highlighted in [John 1:15](/john/1-15 "Jesus' Pre-existence and Preeminence"). This declaration underscores Jesus' unmatched position as the Son of God and the true Messiah. Another central theme is **John's Profound Humility**, which is a consistent characteristic of his ministry. His statement, "whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose," vividly illustrates his deep sense of unworthiness and absolute submission to Jesus, echoing his later assertion in [John 3:30](/john/3-30 "John's Humility: He Must Increase") that "He must increase, but I must decrease." Finally, the verse contributes to the theme of **Divine Identification**, as John's words serve as a clear prophetic pointer to Jesus, preparing the audience to receive Him not merely as a prophet or teacher, but as the promised Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **preferred (Greek, _gínomai'_):** While often meaning "to become" or "to come into being," in this context, when combined with "before me" (G1715 _émprosthen_), it signifies "to be made" or "to be brought into a state of" preeminence or superiority. It highlights Jesus' inherent and recognized higher status, not merely a chronological sequence.
* **latchet (Greek, _himás'_):** This refers specifically to the strap or thong of a sandal. It is a humble, everyday object, yet its mention here powerfully symbolizes the most menial and degrading service. John's unworthiness to even touch this part of Jesus' footwear underscores the vast chasm between his own status and Christ's.
* **unloose (Greek, _lýō'_):** Meaning "to loosen," "to untie," or "to dissolve." In this context, it refers to the act of untying the sandal strap, a task performed by the lowest servant. John's declaration of unworthiness to perform this simple act emphasizes his profound reverence and the absolute superiority of Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He it is, who coming after me":** This clause identifies Jesus as the one whose ministry chronologically follows John's. John has been preparing the way, and now the one for whom he prepared is about to be revealed. The phrase "He it is" (Greek: _houtos estin_) is emphatic, directly pointing to Jesus as the specific individual.
* **"is preferred before me":** This is a crucial declaration of preeminence. The Greek phrase _protos mou_ (πρῶτός μου) signifies "first in rank" or "foremost," not merely "first in time." Although Jesus' public ministry begins after John's, His inherent divine nature and existence precede John's, as John himself stated in [John 1:15](/john/1-15 "Jesus' Pre-existence"). This affirms Jesus' superior authority, dignity, and divine origin.
* **"whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose":** This is a powerful expression of profound humility and reverence. As discussed in the cultural context, untying sandals was the task of the lowest slave. John's declaration that he is "not worthy" to perform even this most menial service for Jesus underscores the infinite qualitative difference between himself, the greatest of the prophets, and the Son of God. It highlights Jesus' unparalleled holiness and divine majesty.

#### Literary Devices
John 1:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Hyperbole** is evident in John the Baptist's statement of unworthiness. By declaring himself unworthy of even the most menial task of a slave (untying a sandal latchet), John uses an exaggerated expression to emphasize the immense, almost infinite, gap between his own status and that of Jesus. This **Contrast** between John, the revered prophet, and Jesus, the divine Messiah, is central to the verse's impact. Furthermore, the "shoe's latchet" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the lowest form of servitude and humility. This concrete image vividly illustrates John's recognition of Jesus' supreme dignity and his own absolute submission, making the theological point tangible and memorable for the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 1:27 is a cornerstone declaration that underscores the absolute preeminence and divine nature of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, as the divinely appointed forerunner, perfectly fulfills his role by not only announcing the Messiah's arrival but also by unequivocally declaring His superior status. This verse teaches us that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in acknowledging Christ's supremacy and embracing a posture of profound humility before Him. It sets the stage for understanding Jesus not merely as a prophet or teacher, but as the unique Son of God, worthy of all honor and service, far beyond human comprehension or capacity.

* [John 1:15](/john/1-15 "Jesus' Pre-existence and Preeminence")
* [John 3:30](/john/3-30 "John's Humility: He Must Increase")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 1:27 offers a profound model of humility and Christ-centeredness for every believer. John the Baptist, despite his significant ministry and prophetic gifting, consistently pointed away from himself and towards Jesus. This challenges us to examine our own lives: do we seek to elevate ourselves, or do we, like John, strive to make Christ preeminent in all things? True discipleship involves recognizing that our worth and purpose are found not in our own achievements or recognition, but in our relationship with and service to Christ. It calls us to embrace a spirit of profound humility, understanding that no act of service, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is too low when performed for the Lord. Our calling is to be clear witnesses to Jesus, ensuring that our lives and words consistently magnify Him, preparing the hearts of others to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently seeking my own recognition rather than Christ's preeminence?**
* **How does John's humility challenge my understanding of true greatness and servanthood in the Kingdom of God?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to more intentionally point others to Jesus, rather than drawing attention to myself?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of unworthiness before Christ that leads to greater reverence and devotion?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of John the Baptist saying he is "not worthy to unloose" Jesus' shoe's latchet?**

Answer: This statement is highly significant for several reasons, deeply rooted in ancient cultural practices. In the first century, untying or carrying a master's sandals was considered the most menial and degrading task, typically performed by the lowest of servants or even Gentile slaves for Jewish masters. It was a task that even a Jewish disciple would not be expected to perform for his rabbi. By declaring himself "not worthy" to perform this task for Jesus, John the Baptist is making an incredibly powerful statement about Jesus' unparalleled dignity, authority, and divine status. He is essentially saying that Jesus is so infinitely superior to him that John is not even fit for the most demeaning form of servitude in His presence. This highlights John's profound humility and reverence, while simultaneously elevating Jesus to a position far beyond any human prophet or teacher. It underscores Jesus' unique identity as the Son of God and the Messiah, emphasizing that His preeminence is not merely chronological but qualitative and divine, as also suggested in [John 1:15](/john/1-15 "Jesus' Pre-existence").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 1:27 is a pivotal Christ-centered declaration, for in it, John the Baptist, the divinely appointed forerunner, perfectly articulates the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. John's humble confession, "He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose," serves as a direct prophetic fulfillment, pointing to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who transcends all human categories. This declaration foreshadows Jesus' ultimate exaltation, even though He would first empty Himself and take the form of a servant, as described in [Philippians 2:7-9](/philippians/2-7-9 "Christ's Humility and Exaltation"). John's testimony prepares the way for the revelation of Jesus as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one upon whom the Spirit descends ([John 1:32-34](/john/1-32-34 "The Spirit Descends on Jesus")), and the very Son of God ([John 1:34](/john/1-34 "John Testifies Jesus is the Son of God")). Thus, John 1:27 is not merely a statement of humility, but a profound Christological affirmation, setting the stage for the entire Gospel narrative that unveils Jesus as the divine Word made flesh, the source of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 1:7

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.

Matthew 3:11

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:

Luke 3:16

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:

John 1:30

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John 1:15

¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

Acts 19:4

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.