Acts 13:25
23 From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.
24 Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
26 Brothers, children of Abraham, and you Gentiles who fear God, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.
27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- As John was completing his course, he said, ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not that One. But He is coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’
- 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.
- WEB
- As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
- ASV
- And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not [he]. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.
- DARBY
- And as John was fulfilling his course he said, Whom do ye suppose that I am? *I* am not [he]. But behold, there comes one after me, the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.
- BLB
- And as John was fulfilling the course, he was saying, ‘Whom do you⁺ suppose me to be? I am not [He], but behold, He comes after me of whom I am not worthy to untie a sandal of the feet.’
- ÅB
- Men da Johannes fullendte sitt løp, sa han: Den dere holder meg for å være, er jeg ikke; men se, det kommer en etter meg, hvis sko jeg ikke er verdig til å løse av hans føtter.
- OTB
- Da Johannes fullførte sitt verk, sa han: 'Hvem tror dere jeg er? Jeg er ikke Han. Men det kommer en etter meg hvis sandaler jeg ikke er verdig til å løse.'
- B1930
- Men da Johannes fullendte sitt løp, sa han: Den I holder mig for å være, er jeg ikke; men se, det kommer en efter mig, hvis sko jeg ikke er verdig til å løse av hans føtter.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Read in contextMark 1:7
And he began to proclaim: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
Read in contextJohn 1:26–27
“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know.
Read in contextJohn 1:20–23
He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.”
Read in contextActs 20:24
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Read in contextLuke 3:15–16
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John could be the Christ.
Read in context2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Read in contextJohn 4:34
Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.
Read in context