Luke Chapter 3 · Verse 16

Authorized King James Version

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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)
Ἰωάννης John G2491
Ἰωάννης John
Strong's: G2491
Word #: 3 of 33
joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites
ἅπασιν unto them all G537
ἅπασιν unto them all
Strong's: G537
Word #: 4 of 33
absolutely all or (singular) every one
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
Ἐγὼ I G1473
Ἐγὼ I
Strong's: G1473
Word #: 6 of 33
i, me
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.)
ὕδατι with water G5204
ὕδατι with water
Strong's: G5204
Word #: 8 of 33
water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively
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
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 10 of 33
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
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)
δὲ but G1161
δὲ but
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 12 of 33
but, and, etc
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰσχυρότερός one mightier than G2478
ἰσχυρότερός one mightier than
Strong's: G2478
Word #: 14 of 33
forcible (literally or figuratively)
μου I G3450
μου I
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 15 of 33
of me
οὗ of whose G3739
οὗ of whose
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 16 of 33
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 17 of 33
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
εἰμὶ I am G1510
εἰμὶ I am
Strong's: G1510
Word #: 18 of 33
i exist (used only when emphatic)
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)
λῦσαι to unloose G3089
λῦσαι to unloose
Strong's: G3089
Word #: 20 of 33
to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)
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
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 27 of 33
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
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
ἐν with G1722
ἐν with
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 29 of 33
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
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)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 32 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πυρί· with fire G4442
πυρί· with fire
Strong's: G4442
Word #: 33 of 33
"fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning)

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.

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.

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