And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
fulfilled.
Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
Acts 20:24 But 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.
Mark 6:16-28 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead…
whom.
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.
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:
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.
he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am?
John the Baptist often faced questions about his identity, as many wondered if he was the Messiah, Elijah, or another prophet (John 1:19-21). This question highlights the confusion and expectations of the Jewish people regarding the coming of the Messiah. John's rhetorical question serves to clarify his role and to redirect attention away from himself to the One he was announcing.
I am not that One.
John emphatically denies being the Messiah, reinforcing his role as a forerunner. This statement reflects his humility and understanding of his position in God's plan. It also aligns with his earlier declarations in John 1:20 and Luke 3:16, where he consistently points to someone greater than himself.
But there is One coming after me
This phrase points to the imminent arrival of Jesus Christ, whom John was sent to herald. The "One coming after" signifies the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. John's announcement prepares the people for the transition from his ministry to that of Jesus, who would bring the new covenant.
whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
In the cultural context of the time, untying sandals was a task reserved for the lowest servants. By stating he is not worthy to perform even this humble task for Jesus, John emphasizes the supreme authority and holiness of Christ. This expression of humility underscores the greatness of Jesus and John's recognition of his own subordinate role. It echoes the sentiment found in Matthew 3:11 and Mark 1:7, where John acknowledges the superiority of Jesus' ministry and mission.
“As John was completing his course…” (Acts 13:25).
• Scripture pictures a life of ministry like a race set out by God (Acts 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:7). John the Baptist had a God-given lane, announced even before his birth (Luke 1:13-17, 76).
• He faithfully ran that race, calling Israel to repentance (Matthew 3:1-6) until Herod silenced him (Matthew 14:1-12). His “course” ended when his purpose—preparing hearts for Messiah—was fulfilled (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1).
• Finishing well matters; John’s completion reminds believers that obedience to the end is success, whatever the cost (Revelation 2:10).
“Who do you suppose I am?”
• Crowds wondered if John might be the Christ (Luke 3:15). He confronts their assumptions so they will shift their gaze from the herald to the King.
• Even the greatest prophet must direct attention away from himself (John 3:27-29). God’s servants still guard against becoming the focus (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).
“I am not that One.”
• John’s firm denial echoes his testimony to priests from Jerusalem: “I am not the Christ” (John 1:19-20).
• By confessing who he is not, John clarifies who Jesus is—singular, unrivaled, promised (Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6-7).
• The verse rebukes every impulse to usurp glory that belongs only to the Lord (Isaiah 42:8).
“But there is One coming after me…”
• John’s entire ministry pointed forward. The “after” is chronological—Jesus would soon step into public view (John 1:29-34)—and covenantal—ushering in the promised New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
• God’s story moves purposefully: promise, forerunner, fulfillment (Galatians 4:4-5).
• Hope for Israel and for the world rests not in the messenger but in the Messiah who follows.
“…whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
• Removing sandals was a task for the lowest slave; John feels unfit even for that (Mark 1:7).
• His humility springs from recognizing Jesus’ supremacy: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
• Christ’s majesty outshines every prophet, priest, or king (Colossians 1:15-18; Philippians 2:9-11). Genuine greatness bows before Him.
Acts 13:25 captures John the Baptist finishing his God-assigned race, rejecting all messianic acclaim, and exalting the coming Christ. His example urges believers to run their own course faithfully, refuse misplaced glory, and magnify Jesus alone, the One immeasurably greater than any servant.
(25) And as John fulfilled his course.--Better was fulfilling, the tense implying continuous action.Whom think ye that I am?--The precise question is not found in the Gospel records of St. John's ministry, but the substance of the answer is implied in Matthew 3:11; John 1:20-21.
Verse 25. - Was fulfilling for fulfilled, A.V.; what suppose ye for whom think ye, A.V. and T.R.; the shoes of whose feet for whose shoes of his feet, A.V.; unloose for loose, A.V. St. Paul, as reported by Luke, follows very closely the narrative in Luke 3:3, etc. Compare the words Προκηρύξαντος Ἰωάννου... βάπτισμα μετανοίας with Luke 3:3, Κηρύσσων βάπτισμα μετανοίας. Compare Πρὸ προσώπου τῆς εἰσόδου with Τὴν ὁδὸν Κυρίου, Luke 3:4. Compare Παντὶ τῷ λαῷ Ἰσραήλ with the mention in Luke 3:9, 10, of the multitudes of the people, and the enumeration of the different classes of people. Com- pare the question, "Whom [or, 'what'] think ye that I am?" with the statement in Luke 3:15, that all men were musing in their hearts of John whether he were the Christ or not. Compare the construction of the phrase, Ἔρχεται μετ ἐμὲ οϋ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἄξιος τὸ, ὑπόδημα τῶν ποδῶν λῦσαι with Luke 3:16; and in ver. 26 compare the Υἱοὶ γένους Ἀβραὰμ with the Πατέρα ἔχομεν τὸν Ἀβραάμ, and the Τέκνα τῷ Ἀβραάμ of Luke 3:8. There is also a strong resemblance to John 1:19-28. St. Paul fortifies his own witness to Jesus as the Christ by that of John the Baptist, probably from knowing that many of his hearers believed that John was a prophet (see Luke 20:6; Matthew 21:26; comp. Peter's address, Acts 10:37).