Luke 3:16
What does Luke 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 3:16 means
John directly addresses the people's speculation, clarifying his role and powerfully proclaiming the coming of one far superior to himself. He distinguishes his water baptism, symbolizing repentance, from the Christ’s baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire. John humbly acknowledges his unworthiness to even perform a servant's task for this coming Messiah. This firmly points to Jesus Christ as the true fulfiller of prophecy, whose divine power far surpasses John's.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
KJV
King James Version · 1611John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949John made answer, saying to them all, Truly, I give you baptism with water, but one is coming who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862John answered, saying to all, `I indeed with water do baptise you, but he cometh who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to loose the latchet of his sandals--he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water: but there shall come one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire;
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890John answered all, saying, I indeed baptise you with water, but the mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to unloose; he shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;
Context
Following the people's speculation about his identity, John directly responds in this verse, clearly defining his role as subordinate to the coming Messiah. This pivotal declaration shifts the focus from John to Jesus, introducing the Lord's distinct and far more powerful ministry. It directly sets up the subsequent description of Christ's work of judgment and salvation.
v.15And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he were the Christ;
v.16This passage
v.17whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 1:26
John answered them, saying, I baptize in water: in the midst of you standeth one whom ye know not,
- Acts 1:5
for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.
- Acts 2:3
And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
- Acts 2:17
And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams:
- Acts 19:4
And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
- Isaiah 32:15
until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest.
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