Matthew 3:11 kjv
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:
Matthew 3:11 nkjv
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:11 niv
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:11 esv
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:11 nlt
"I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am ? so much greater that I'm not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matthew 3 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 3:10 | "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees..." | Context: Impending judgment |
| Matt 3:12 | "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor...the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." | Follow-up: Elaboration of fire's judgment |
| Mk 1:8 | "I baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." | Parallel account of John's statement |
| Lk 3:16 | "I baptize you with water...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." | Parallel account; direct echo |
| Lk 3:17 | "His winnowing fork is in His hand...the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." | Parallel elaboration of fire judgment |
| Jn 1:26-27 | "I baptize with water...He who comes after me...I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandal." | John's humility and Jesus' superiority |
| Jn 1:33 | "He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." | Specific prophecy of Jesus as Spirit-baptizer |
| Acts 1:5 | "John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." | Jesus reiterates the Spirit promise |
| Acts 2:1-4 | "And suddenly there came from heaven a sound...divided tongues as of fire appeared...they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." | Fulfillment: Holy Spirit outpouring at Pentecost |
| Acts 11:16 | "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'" | Peter's recollection of the promise |
| 1 Cor 12:13 | "For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free..." | Believers united into Christ's body by Spirit |
| Gal 3:27 | "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." | Union with Christ through baptism |
| Eph 4:5 | "one Lord, one faith, one baptism," | Unity in Christian experience |
| Isa 4:4 | "...when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning." | Prophetic parallel: Judgment and purification by divine spirit |
| Mal 3:2-3 | "But who can endure the day of His coming? ...He is like a refiner's fire...He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..." | Prophetic parallel: Messiah's refining, purifying work |
| Deut 4:24 | "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." | God's nature as holy and judgmental fire |
| Heb 12:29 | "for our God is a consuming fire." | God's nature reiterated: Judgment for sin |
| Matt 28:18 | "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." | Jesus' supreme authority for the coming work |
| Ps 2:7-8 | "You are my Son...I will make the nations Your heritage..." | Foreshadowing Messiah's authority and dominion |
| Mk 10:45 | "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." | Christ's purpose in coming |
Matthew 3 verses
Matthew 3 11 Meaning
John the Baptist declares his baptism of water to be preparatory and indicative of repentance. He contrasts this with the far superior and distinct baptism administered by the coming Messiah. This Messianic baptism involves both the Holy Spirit, signifying new life and divine empowerment, and fire, representing purification for the faithful and consuming judgment for the unrepentant. John emphasizes his own unworthiness compared to this mighty figure.
Matthew 3 11 Context
Matthew chapter 3 opens with John the Baptist emerging in the Judean wilderness, proclaiming a message of repentance because "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (v. 2). His austere appearance and diet are reminiscent of Old Testament prophets, specifically Elijah (2 Kgs 1:8). Crowds from Jerusalem and all Judea came to be baptized by him in the Jordan. John confronts the religious elite—Pharisees and Sadducees—who approach him, rebuking their reliance on their Abrahamic lineage rather than genuine fruit of repentance (v. 7-9). He warns them that the "axe is laid to the root of the trees," signifying imminent divine judgment (v. 10). It is within this powerful call to prepare for the coming kingdom and the impending judgment that John delivers verse 11, contrasting his ministry with the infinitely greater, spiritual, and judgmental ministry of the Messiah. This verse prepares the audience for the appearance of Jesus Christ immediately afterward, culminating in Jesus' own baptism by John.
Matthew 3 11 Word analysis
- I indeed (Ἐγὼ μὲν, egō men): The emphatic "I" contrasts John's personal action with the distinct action of the "one coming after me." "Men" signals a contrast to follow.
- baptize (βαπτίζω, baptizō): To immerse, to dip. In this context, it refers to the ritual washing in water as a sign of repentance and preparation for the Messiah.
- you (ὑμᾶς, hymas): Refers to the people John is addressing, those who came out to him for baptism, including repentant individuals and the outwardly religious.
- with water (ἐν ὕδατι, en hydati): The dative of instrument indicates water as the medium of John's baptism. It's a symbolic cleansing, acknowledging sin and a turning away from it.
- for repentance (εἰς μετάνοιαν, eis metanoian): This clarifies the purpose of John's baptism. It was not for salvation or indwelling by the Spirit, but as an outward sign corresponding to an inward turning from sin to God. Metanoia means a change of mind and direction, a turning from unrighteousness to God.
- But (Ὁ δὲ, ho de): Introduces a strong contrast to what precedes, setting apart John's ministry from Jesus'.
- He who is coming (ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος, opisō mou erchomenos): This phrase unequivocally refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, emphasizing His arrival after John's preparatory ministry.
- after me (ὀπίσω μου, opisō mou): Indicates temporal sequence and perhaps a subordinate role, but this is immediately overridden by the next phrase.
- is mightier than I (ἰσχυρότερός μου ἐστίν, ischyroteros mou estin): "Mightier" (comparative adjective) points to the superior power, authority, and divine nature of Jesus. John readily acknowledges his own subservient role and Jesus' preeminence.
- whose sandals (οὗ τὰ ὑποδήματα, hou ta hypodēmata): A very specific and culturally significant detail.
- I am not worthy (οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς, ouk eimi hikanos): John expresses extreme humility. To untie a master's sandals was a task typically performed by the lowest servants, often by Gentiles or slaves for their Jewish masters, highlighting his profound unworthiness to even perform such a menial service for the Messiah.
- to carry (βαστάσαι, bastasai): To carry or bear, in this context specifically referring to sandals.
- He will baptize (αὐτὸς βαπτίσει, autos baptisei): The emphasis is on "He Himself," underscoring Jesus' sole and unique authority to administer this superior baptism.
- you (ὑμᾶς, hymas): Again, referring to the audience, though ultimately fulfilled for believers throughout history.
- with the Holy Spirit (ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ, en Pneumati Hagiō): The dative of instrument, similar to "with water." This signifies a spiritual immersion by God Himself, leading to spiritual regeneration, empowering, and indwelling of believers, initiating them into the body of Christ.
- and fire (καὶ πυρί, kai pyri): Another dative of instrument. This element of the Messiah's baptism carries a dual significance.
- Words-Group: "I indeed baptize...with water...for repentance" John's baptism is external, symbolic, and calls for an initial turning. It signifies a person's readiness to receive the coming kingdom. It is a sign of cleansing from past sins through an act of submission to God.
- Words-Group: "He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry" This emphatic statement establishes the absolute supremacy and divine authority of Jesus. John, the great prophet, humbled himself before Christ, illustrating the vast chasm between preparatory ministry and divine Messiahship. The reference to sandals symbolizes a master-servant relationship, with John deeming himself less than the least of servants to Jesus.
- Words-Group: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" This phrase describes the qualitative superiority of Christ's baptism.
- "Holy Spirit": Implies spiritual renewal, empowerment for witness and service, sanctification, and incorporation into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). It represents a life-giving, transformative internal work. The Holy Spirit indwells, convicts, guides, and comforts. This is often linked to the outpouring at Pentecost (Acts 2).
- "Fire": Can mean either purification/refinement for believers (Mal 3:2-3, 1 Pet 1:7) or judgment/destruction for the unrepentant (Matt 3:12, Lk 3:17). Given the context of the axe laid to the root (v.10) and the winnowing fork (v.12), the primary meaning here leans towards consuming judgment for those who do not bear good fruit of repentance, yet also implies a purging or refining element for true disciples. It reflects the intensity and transformative nature of Jesus' work, distinguishing between those who embrace His kingdom and those who reject it. Some scholars see "Spirit and fire" as a single event with two aspects—purification and judgment—administered by the Spirit.
Matthew 3 11 Bonus section
The "baptism with fire" has been a subject of extensive theological discussion. While it can imply purification for believers (akin to a refiner's fire), the immediate context of Matthew 3 (axe laid to the root, unquenchable fire for the chaff in v.10, 12) strongly suggests the fire of divine wrath and judgment for the unrepentant. Thus, Jesus’ one work involves both a Spirit baptism of salvation for the faithful and a fire baptism of judgment for the disobedient, revealing His complete sovereignty as the coming Judge. The polemical nature against Jewish nationalistic pride, which presumed automatic inclusion in God's kingdom through Abrahamic lineage without genuine repentance or spiritual transformation, is evident. John implies that this spiritual/fire baptism will sift through and purify God's people, rejecting those who merely claim external lineage without internal change.
Matthew 3 11 Commentary
Matthew 3:11 serves as a pivotal statement, articulating the profound distinction between John the Baptist's preparatory ministry and the redemptive, yet also judgmental, work of Jesus the Messiah. John’s water baptism, symbolic of repentance, was merely an external wash. Jesus’ baptism, however, is a transformative internal immersion: a baptism with the Holy Spirit for spiritual life, regeneration, and divine enablement, ushering believers into a new covenant reality. Concurrently, it is a baptism with fire, indicating a dual aspect: a purifying and refining process for those who embrace Him, and a devastating judgment for those who reject Him and fail to bear fruit worthy of repentance. This highlights the comprehensive and ultimate authority of Jesus to effect both salvation and judgment.