Acts 13 25

Acts 13:25 kjv

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.

Acts 13:25 nkjv

And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.'

Acts 13:25 niv

As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'

Acts 13:25 esv

And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'

Acts 13:25 nlt

As John was finishing his ministry he asked, 'Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon ? and I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.'

Acts 13 verses

Acts 13 25 Meaning

Acts 13:25 declares that John the Baptist, having completed his God-given ministry, unequivocally denied being the promised Messiah, instead testifying that Jesus Christ, to whom he was utterly unworthy to render even the most menial service, was about to appear. This highlights John's humility, his specific role as forerunner, and Jesus' supreme divine authority.

Acts 13 25 Context

Acts 13:25 is part of the Apostle Paul's pivotal sermon delivered in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia. This sermon marks a significant moment, as it is one of Paul's earliest recorded missionary messages to a mixed audience of Jews and "God-fearers" (Gentiles who worshiped the God of Israel). Paul’s objective in this sermon (Acts 13:16-41) is to present Jesus as the culmination of God's redemptive plan throughout Israel's history. He systematically traces God's faithfulness from the Exodus, through the kingship of David (Acts 13:22), and finally to the raising up of Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Within this historical overview, John the Baptist serves as a crucial transitional figure. For the Jewish audience, John was a revered prophet whose recent ministry and baptism of repentance were widely known. By quoting John's direct testimony, Paul leverages John's recognized authority to authenticate Jesus as the Christ. Paul highlights two key aspects of John's ministry: his preparing the way for someone greater (Acts 13:24) and his humble denial of being that greater one (the Messiah). This specific mention of John’s declaration helps dispel any lingering confusion or alternative Messianic expectations the audience might have had, ensuring they understood that John's role was strictly as a forerunner pointing to Jesus. The reference to untying shoes was a culturally recognized symbol of humble servitude, further underscoring John's deep reverence for and recognition of Jesus' unparalleled dignity.

Acts 13 25 Word analysis

• And: A conjunction, connecting this statement about John to the previous point in Paul's sermon (John having preached the baptism of repentance before Jesus' coming).

• as John: Refers to John the Baptist, whose ministry and role were well-known and respected among the Jewish people Paul was addressing.

• fulfilled: Greek eplērou (from plēroō), meaning "to complete," "to bring to an end," or "to fill up." It implies the execution of a task to its completion, often with a sense of divine purpose or destiny. John finished his divinely appointed work.

• his course: Greek ton dromon, meaning "race," "course," or "career." This refers to John's specific ministry, his allotted time and purpose on earth, as ordained by God. It signifies the totality of his public prophetic work.

• he said: Introduces John’s own testimony.

• Whom think ye that I am?: A rhetorical question, not necessarily asked directly to the crowd in these exact words by John in all Gospels, but encapsulating his interaction with those who pondered his identity (Lk 3:15). It anticipates and addresses the common speculation among people that he might be the Messiah.

• I am not he: John's clear and unambiguous denial of being the Messiah (Jn 1:20), distinguishing himself from the one they were awaiting. "He" refers to the expected Christ/Messiah.

• But, behold: An emphatic interjection (Greek idou), drawing attention to what follows. It emphasizes the momentous nature of the succeeding declaration.

• there cometh one after me: Refers to Jesus, indicating His imminent arrival and John's role as a preceding forerunner. The "after me" emphasizes the chronological sequence but also Jesus' superior position.

• whose shoes of his feet: Refers to Jesus’ footwear, indicating ownership and, symbolically, His personal presence. Sandals were often removed upon entering a house; unlacing or carrying them was a task performed by a low-ranking servant or a disciple for their rabbi.

• I am not worthy: Greek ouch hikanos (from hikanos), meaning "not sufficient," "not competent," or "not fit." This expresses profound humility and self-abasement. John recognizes an immense qualitative difference between himself and Jesus.

• to loose: Greek lysai (from lyō), meaning "to untie," "to unbind," or "to unfasten." This refers to the act of untying the thongs of sandals for someone, a very menial and undignified task reserved for the lowest of servants or, exceptionally, a disciple performing a highly humble service for his master.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "fulfilled his course": Signifies that John's ministry was completed according to divine schedule and purpose. His work was done, paving the way perfectly for Jesus. This implies God's providential planning for salvation history.
  • "Whom think ye that I am? I am not he.": This emphatic double negation and direct confrontation of popular misconception underscores John's fidelity to his prophetic role. He does not seek glory for himself but points away from himself to Christ, rejecting any elevation beyond his assigned duty.
  • "there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.": This entire phrase conveys the extreme reverence and humility of John towards Jesus. It is an idiom of profound submission, acknowledging Jesus' incomparable superiority, deity, and absolute authority, even compared to a prophet as great as John himself. This illustrates the vast chasm between even the greatest human prophet and the Son of God.

Acts 13 25 Bonus section

This verse is one of several instances in the book of Acts where Paul (or other apostles) explicitly leverages John the Baptist's testimony as a pivotal point in their sermons about Jesus (e.g., Acts 1:5, 1:22, 10:37). This recurring rhetorical strategy underscores John’s universal recognition and credibility among early Jewish and Gentile converts, making his witness an undeniable launching point for proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. The consistency in depicting John's subservient role, contrasted with Jesus' sovereign authority, highlights a fundamental tenet of apostolic teaching. Furthermore, John’s statement serves as a clear counter-narrative to any early movements or groups that might have viewed John as the Messiah or sought to elevate his status beyond that of Christ's forerunner. This ensures doctrinal clarity about Jesus' unique divine person and His salvific mission from the very outset of the Christian message.

Acts 13 25 Commentary

Acts 13:25 serves as a potent summation of John the Baptist's divinely appointed mission and a powerful testimonial to Jesus' identity and supremacy. Paul skillfully draws upon the familiar figure of John to bridge the expectation of the Messiah with the reality of Jesus Christ for his Jewish and God-fearing audience. John's life work ("fulfilled his course") was not to be the Anointed One but rather to complete the specific prophetic preparatory role foretold in the Scriptures. His explicit denial, "I am not he," was crucial. In a time rife with various Messianic claimants, John’s public statement left no room for ambiguity, ensuring that no one could confuse his baptism of repentance with the salvific work of Christ.

The declaration that John was "not worthy to loose" Jesus' sandals is a profound expression of humility. Untying a master’s sandals was the lowliest of tasks for a servant, and in rabbinic tradition, it was one of the few acts a disciple might be excused from doing for his teacher, implying its demeaning nature. By declaring himself unworthy of such a humble service for Jesus, John communicated an infinite reverence and an acknowledgment of Jesus’ unparalleled status, signifying not merely human superiority, but divine preeminence. This humility serves as an eternal model for all who serve Christ: true greatness lies in acknowledging His absolute Lordship and our own complete dependence on Him, directing all attention and glory to Him rather than ourselves. This verse thus clarifies Jesus' position as the singular and supreme Messiah, grounding early Christian teaching in the recognized prophetic tradition.