He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's lace I am not worthy to unloose.
He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's lace I am not worthy to unloose.
even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.
It is he who is coming after me; I am not good enough to undo his shoes.
He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoes' latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen."
even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.
Is preferred before me - Ὁς εμπροσθεν μου γεγονεν, Who was before me. This clause is wanting in BC*L, four others, the Coptic, Ethiopic, Slavonic, and two copies of the Itala, and in some of the primitive fathers. Griesbach has left it out of the text. It is likely that it was omitted by the above, because it was found in John 1:15 and John 1:30. At the end of this verse, EG, and ten others, with some copies of the Slavonic, add, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Whose shoe's latchet - See the notes at Matthew 3:11. The "latchet" of sandals was the string or thong by which they were fastened to the feet. To unloose them was the office of a servant, and John means, therefore, that he was unworthy to perform the lowest office for the Messiah. This was remarkable humility. John was well known; he was highly honored; thousands came to hear him. Jesus was at that time unknown; but John says that he was unworthy to perform the humblest office for Jesus. So we all should be willing to lay all that we have at the feet of Christ, and feel that we are unworthy to be his lowest servants.