Acts 13:25
What does Acts 13:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 13:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 13:25 means
Paul recounts John the Baptist's humble testimony about himself. When people wondered if John might be the Messiah, he unequivocally denied it, emphasizing his own unworthiness even to untie the sandals of the one coming after him. This powerful statement from John serves to underscore Jesus's superiority and divine identity. John's consistent self-abasement and exaltation of Jesus validated Jesus's Messianic claim, ensuring that no one would confuse the forerunner with the Christ. It was a crucial, independent witness to Jesus's true person.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when John was completing his work, he said, What do I seem to you to be? I am not he; but one is coming after me, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and as John was fulfilling the course, he said, Whom me do ye suppose to be? I am not <FI>he<Fi> , but, lo, he doth come after me, of whom I am not worthy to loose the sandal of <FI>his<Fi> feet.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he whom you think me to be. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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.
Context
Expanding on John the Baptist's preparatory ministry in verse 24, this verse focuses on John's own testimony concerning Jesus. It highlights John's humility and his clear declaration that he was not the Messiah, but merely his forerunner. This strong affirmation from a widely respected figure serves to bolster the credibility of Jesus as the Christ for Paul's audience. This sets the stage for Paul to directly address his listeners, inviting them to embrace the salvation now available through this Jesus in verse 26.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:36
and he looked upon Jesus as he walked, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God!
- John 7:18
He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
- Mark 1:7
And he preached, saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
- Revelation 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
- 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
- John 1:34
And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.
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