John 1:27 kjv
He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
John 1:27 nkjv
It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."
John 1:27 niv
He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
John 1:27 esv
even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
John 1:27 nlt
Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal."
John 1 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 1:15 | (John bore witness concerning Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He...") | John testifies to Jesus' pre-eminence and existence before him. |
| John 1:30 | "This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred..." | Directly echoes and reiterates the message of John 1:27. |
| John 3:28 | "You yourselves bear me witness that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’..." | John denies being the Messiah, setting the stage for 1:27's deeper humility. |
| John 3:30 | "He must increase, but I must decrease." | Summarizes the shift in focus from John to Jesus, parallel to 1:27. |
| Matt 3:11 | "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming..." | Parallel passage where John makes the sandal statement concerning Jesus' power. |
| Mark 1:7 | "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal straps..." | Parallel account emphasizing Jesus' superiority through the sandal analogy. |
| Luke 3:16 | "John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but..." | Parallel account from Luke highlighting Jesus' greater baptism and authority. |
| Isa 40:3 | "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD!" | John fulfills this prophecy, indicating his role as a forerunner, not the Messiah. |
| Mal 3:1 | "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me..." | Prophecy of the messenger preparing the way for the Lord, fulfilled by John. |
| Phil 2:6-8 | "...who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be..." | Highlights Jesus' own divine nature and voluntary humility, mirroring John's. |
| Col 1:15-18 | "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation..." | Establishes Christ's preeminence and supreme authority over all creation. |
| Heb 1:1-3 | "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past..." | Declares the Son's superior revelation and eternal nature over all others. |
| Luke 7:6-7 | "...but only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am..." | Centurion's recognition of unworthiness to host Jesus, similar to John's humility. |
| Rev 5:2-5 | "...who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one..." | Highlights Christ's unique worthiness and authority as the only one capable. |
| John 8:58 | "Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was..." | Jesus' statement of preexistence affirms His divine nature, far beyond John. |
| John 1:1 | "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word..." | Establishes the divine preexistence and identity of the "Coming One," Jesus. |
| Phil 2:3 | "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness..." | Teaches the humility that John exemplifies in his witness concerning Jesus. |
| Mark 10:43-45 | "...whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant." | Jesus teaches that true greatness is found in humble servanthood, a concept John understands. |
| Luke 22:26-27 | "...but he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he who..." | Jesus' teaching on humble leadership reinforces John's demonstration of humility. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all..." | Exhorts believers to humility and submission, embodying John's attitude. |
John 1 verses
John 1 27 Meaning
John the Baptist, in John 1:27, unequivocally declares his absolute subservience and unworthiness in comparison to Jesus Christ. This statement encapsulates his profound humility and deep understanding of Jesus' unique, supreme, and divine nature, far transcending any earthly status, even that of a revered prophet like John himself. He emphasizes that Jesus is the "Coming One," the prophesied Messiah, whom John serves only as a lowly herald.
John 1 27 Context
John 1:27 is part of John the Baptist's direct testimony concerning his identity and, more importantly, the identity of Jesus Christ. The preceding verses (John 1:19-26) describe the Jewish religious leaders sending priests and Levites from Jerusalem to question John. They ask if he is the Christ, Elijah, or "the Prophet." John consistently denies being any of these, declaring himself merely a "voice crying in the wilderness" to prepare the way for the Lord, fulfilling Isaiah 40:3. When they question his authority to baptize without claiming one of these titles, John intensifies his testimony, stating that one greater than he is already among them, though currently unknown to them (John 1:26). Verse 27 further elaborates on this "Coming One's" immeasurable superiority by drawing on a cultural norm: untying or carrying sandals was the lowliest task reserved for household slaves, a task considered beneath even a disciple for his rabbi. By stating he is "not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals," John unequivocally places Jesus in a position of divine authority and status, far above any human, including himself. Historically, there was fervent expectation for the Messiah, Elijah's return, or a new prophet like Moses (Deu 18:15, 18). John's strong disclaimer and pointing to Jesus were crucial for clarifying his role and directing national expectation correctly towards the true Messiah.
John 1 27 Word analysis
- He: Ekeinos (ἐκεῖνος) - Refers emphatically to the one previously mentioned, "He who comes after me." It directs focus squarely to Jesus, underscoring His distinct identity.
- is the one: Implies specific identification and affirmation of identity. It's not just "someone," but that particular one previously alluded to.
- who comes after me: ho opisō mou erchomenos (ὁ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος) - Literally "the one coming behind me." This indicates not just chronological succession but also positional superiority. John is the forerunner; Jesus is the one with ultimate authority and divine purpose who follows. This highlights the preparatory nature of John's ministry.
- the straps: himantōn (ἱμάντων) - Refers to the leather thongs or laces that secure the sandals to the foot. These were mundane and often soiled from travel, signifying the lowest of tasks.
- of whose sandals: tou hypodēmatos (τοῦ ὑποδήματος) - Refers to the simple footwear, usually consisting of a sole held by straps. Carrying or untying sandals was the job of the lowliest slave, often a Gentile slave. Even Jewish slaves were exempt from this particular menial duty.
- I am not worthy: ouch hikanos eimi (οὐχ ἱκανός εἰμι) - Means "I am not sufficient," "I am not competent," or "I am unqualified." It's a powerful declaration of profound humility and self-acknowledged inadequacy in the face of Jesus' immense majesty and sacredness. John emphasizes an absolute inability, not merely a disinclination.
- to untie: lyō (λύω) - "To loose," "to untie," "to release." The action itself is simple, but in this context, it symbolizes the most menial act of personal service. John signifies that even this lowest form of servitude is too honorable for him in relation to Christ.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "He is the one who comes after me": This phrase directly identifies Jesus as the object of John's proclamation, distinct from John himself. It sets up the chronological sequence but immediately establishes a hierarchical inversion where the one who follows is far greater than the one who precedes. This refutes any notion that John could be the Messiah or of equal standing.
- "the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie": This is a powerful, culturally loaded hyperbolic expression of profound humility. It asserts Jesus' transcendent dignity and worthiness in such an extreme manner that John places himself in a position lower than the lowest servant or even a non-Jewish slave. It underlines that Jesus' identity and status are divine and utterly beyond human comparison or service of a menial kind.
John 1 27 Bonus section
John the Baptist's humility, exemplified in John 1:27, also implies a clear theological distinction between his baptism of water for repentance and Jesus' greater baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16). His unworthiness to even perform the lowliest task suggests an even greater unworthiness to perform the Messiah's unique and ultimate work of salvation and spiritual renewal. This specific task of untying sandals was not typically assigned to a Jewish disciple for his master; it was below their station. By willingly placing himself beneath even a common slave, John demonstrates an unparalleled understanding of Jesus' true nature, affirming His divine sonship and lordship, a truth which the questioning Jewish leaders desperately needed to grasp.
John 1 27 Commentary
John 1:27 is a definitive statement by John the Baptist that not only disclaims any messianic pretensions for himself but also magnifies the incomparable worth and supreme authority of Jesus Christ. By refusing to perform even the most basic and humiliating act of servitude for Jesus, John portrays the immense gulf between humanity and the Divine. This profound humility served a crucial purpose: to direct all attention away from himself and squarely onto Jesus, who was "among them, though they knew Him not" (John 1:26). John's witness serves as a blueprint for all who proclaim Christ: personal exaltation must diminish so that Christ's glory can be revealed. It underscores Jesus' divine preexistence and unmatched authority, affirming His identity as the Christ.
- Practical usage example: For any servant of Christ, John's humility serves as a constant reminder that our role is always to point to Him and never to draw attention to ourselves or our abilities, no matter how gifted we may be. True ministry elevates Christ, not the minister.