Acts Chapter 13 · Verse 25
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 29
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐπλήρου
fulfilled
G4137
ἐπλήρου
fulfilled
Strong's:
G4137
Word #:
3 of 29
to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔλεγεν
he said
G3004
ἔλεγεν
he said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Τίνα
Whom
G5101
Τίνα
Whom
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 29
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὑπονοεῖτε
think ye
G5282
ὑπονοεῖτε
think ye
Strong's:
G5282
Word #:
11 of 29
to think under (privately), i.e., to surmise or conjecture
ἀλλ'
he But
G235
ἀλλ'
he But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
16 of 29
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἔρχεται
there cometh one
G2064
ἔρχεται
there cometh one
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
18 of 29
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
μετ'
after
G3326
μετ'
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
19 of 29
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
οὗ
whose
G3739
οὗ
whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
21 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἄξιος
worthy
G514
ἄξιος
worthy
Strong's:
G514
Word #:
24 of 29
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπόδημα
shoes
G5266
ὑπόδημα
shoes
Strong's:
G5266
Word #:
26 of 29
something bound under the feet, i.e., a shoe or sandal
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 3:11I 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:Mark 1:7And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Historical Context
Paul quoted John's words during his sermon in Pisidian Antioch's synagogue (c. AD 47-48). John the Baptist had been executed by Herod Antipas approximately 15 years earlier (c. AD 28-29). Paul's audience would have known John's reputation—Josephus confirms his widespread influence (Antiquities 18.5.2). Quoting the Baptist established continuity between Jewish expectation and Christian proclamation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's self-effacing humility challenge modern Christian leadership models that emphasize personal platform and influence?
- Paul references John's testimony in his evangelistic sermon—what role does John's witness still play in declaring Christ's supremacy today?
Analysis & Commentary
And as John fulfilled his course (ὡς δὲ ἐπλήρου Ἰωάννης τὸν δρόμον)—Paul recounts the Baptizer's testimony using dromos (course/race), the same athletic metaphor Paul later applied to his own ministry (Acts 20:24, 2 Timothy 4:7). John's ministry was a divinely appointed assignment with a defined beginning and end.
Whom think ye that I am? I am not he—John's emphatic self-denial anticipates Jesus's identity questions (Matthew 16:15, "Whom say ye that I am?"). The Baptist's radical humility contrasts with messianic pretenders of the era. Whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose (οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἄξιος τὸ ὑπόδημα τῶν ποδῶν λῦσαι)—Untying sandals was work beneath a Hebrew slave, yet John declared himself unworthy even for this menial task before Christ. This echoes all four Gospels' record of John's testimony (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16, John 1:27), demonstrating the early church's unified preservation of his witness.