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:
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίνατο
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίνατο
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 33
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 33
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
7 of 33
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
βαπτίσει
baptize
G907
βαπτίσει
baptize
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
9 of 33
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
11 of 33
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὗ
of whose
G3739
οὗ
of whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἱκανὸς
worthy
G2425
ἱκανὸς
worthy
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
19 of 33
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱμάντα
the latchet
G2438
ἱμάντα
the latchet
Strong's:
G2438
Word #:
22 of 33
a strap, i.e., (specially) the tie (of a sandal) or the lash (of a scourge)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑποδημάτων
shoes
G5266
ὑποδημάτων
shoes
Strong's:
G5266
Word #:
24 of 33
something bound under the feet, i.e., a shoe or sandal
αὐτὸς
he
G846
αὐτὸς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 33
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
αὐτὸς
he
G846
αὐτὸς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 33
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
βαπτίσει
baptize
G907
βαπτίσει
baptize
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
28 of 33
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
πνεύματι
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματι
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
30 of 33
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 prin
ἁγίῳ
the Holy
G40
ἁγίῳ
the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
31 of 33
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Cross References
Acts 1:5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.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:John 1:33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.John 1:26John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.Isaiah 4:4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.Isaiah 32:15Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.Proverbs 1:23Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.Acts 2:33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Historical Context
Old Testament prophets promised Spirit outpouring in the messianic age (Joel 2:28-29, Ezekiel 36:25-27). John's announcement that Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit identified him as the one who would fulfill these prophecies. The 'fire' imagery recalls both purifying fire (Malachi 3:2-3) and judging fire (Matthew 3:12). Pentecost fulfilled this promise—tongues of fire appeared as the Spirit descended (Acts 2:3). John's ministry pointed beyond itself to Messiah's greater work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's contrast between water baptism and Spirit baptism illustrate the difference between outward ritual and inward transformation?
- What does the combination of Holy Spirit and fire baptism teach about both the purifying and judging aspects of Christ's work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John declares: 'I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh...he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.' John contrasts his water baptism (symbolizing repentance) with Messiah's Spirit baptism (effecting transformation). The phrase 'mightier than I' (Greek 'ischyroteros mou,' ἰσχυρότερός μου) emphasizes Christ's superior power and authority—John isn't worthy to loose His shoe latch. Spirit baptism is Pentecost's promise (Acts 1:5, 2:1-4), while fire baptism suggests both purifying judgment and refining power. Christ's baptism doesn't merely symbolize change but actually accomplishes it through the Holy Spirit's power.