John 1:27

27 He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's strap I am not worthy to unloose."

John 1:27 Meaning and Commentary

John 1:27

He it is who coming after me
Both into the world, and into the ministry of the word; for John was before Christ, in both these respects, though greatly behind him in others, and therefore he adds, is preferred before me:
being not only of a more excellent nature, the Son of God, and of an higher extract, the Lord from heaven; but in an higher office, and having greater gifts, and the Spirit of God without measure on him; and also being more followed by the people; for John decreased, but he increased: or rather the words may be rendered, who was before me; being the eternal Son of God, whose goings forth were of old, from everlasting; who was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was; the firstborn, or first bringer forth of every creature; and therefore must be before all things, which are created by him; (See Gill on John 1:15). Whose shoes latchet I am not worthy to unloose;
which was one of the meanest services done by a servant to his master; (See Gill on Matthew 3:11).

John 1:27 In-Context

25 And they asked him, and said unto him, "Why dost thou baptize then if thou art not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that Prophet?"

26 John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there standeth One among you whom ye know not.

27 He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's strap I am not worthy to unloose."

28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!