Lucas 3:16

16 respondeu João a todos, dizendo: Eu, na verdade, vos batizo em água, mas vem aquele que é mais poderoso do que eu, de quem não sou digno de desatar a correia das alparcas; ele vos batizará no Espírito Santo e em fogo.

Lucas 3:16 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 3:16

John answered, saying unto them all
For some of them might not only so think in their hearts, but express with their mouths the apprehension they had of him; and might put the question to him, as the priests and Levites from Jerusalem afterwards did; or he might know the secret thoughts of their hearts by divine revelation; or be apprized by his disciples of the private sentiments of the people concerning him: and therefore, to put them out of doubt, and that he might not have an honour conferred on him, which did not belong to him, he addressed himself, in a very public manner, to the whole multitude, in the hearing of them all: though the word "all" is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions, but rightly retained in others, being in all copies, and having a considerable emphasis on it: and said the following words.

I indeed baptize you with water;
Matthew adds "unto repentance"; upon the profession of repentance:

but one mightier than I cometh;
that is, after me;
as Matthew records it:

the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose;
neither to bear his shoes after him, as Matthew says, nor to untie his shoe string, or unbuckle his shoe, both which were menial actions with the Jews: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; as he did some of their nation, his own disciples, on the day of pentecost; (See Gill on Matthew 3:11)

Lucas 3:16 In-Context

14 Interrogaram-no também uns soldados: E nós, que faremos? Disse-lhes: A ninguém queirais extorquir coisa alguma; nem deis denúncia falsa; e contentai-vos com o vosso soldo.

15 Ora, estando o povo em expectativa e arrazoando todos em seus corações a respeito de João, se porventura seria ele o Cristo,

16 respondeu João a todos, dizendo: Eu, na verdade, vos batizo em água, mas vem aquele que é mais poderoso do que eu, de quem não sou digno de desatar a correia das alparcas; ele vos batizará no Espírito Santo e em fogo.

17 A sua pá ele tem na mão para limpar bem a sua eira, e recolher o trigo ao seu celeiro; mas queimará a palha em fogo inextinguível.

18 Assim pois, com muitas outras exortações ainda, anunciava o evangelho ao povo.