Matthew 3:11

“I indeed baptize you with water, etc.] These words, at first view, look as if they were a continuation of John’s discourse with the Pharisees and Sadducees, and as though he had baptized them; whereas by comparing them with what the other Evangelists relate, (see <410105>Mark 1:5,8 <420310> Luke 3:10,15,16) they are spoken to the people, who, confessing their sins, had been baptized by him; to whom he gives an account of the ordinance of water baptism, of which he was the administrator, in what manner, and on what account he performed it: I indeed baptize you; or, as Mark says, “I have baptized you”; I have authority from God so to do; my commission reaches thus far, and no farther; I can…”

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance--(See on Mat 3:6); but he that cometh after me is mightier than I--In Mark and Luke this is more emphatic--"But there cometh the Mightier than I" (Mar 1:7; Luk 3:16). whose shoes--sandals. I am not worthy to bear--The sandals were tied and untied, and borne about by the meanest servants. he shall baptize you--the emphatic "He": "He it is," to the exclusion of all others, "that shall baptize you." with the Holy Ghost--"So far from entertaining such a thought as laying claim to the honors of Messiahship, the meanest services I can render to that "Mightier than I that is coming after me" are too high an honor for me; I am but the servant, but the…”

“Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear - The word translated here as “shoes” has a signification different from what it has in our language. At first, in order to keep the feet from the sharp stones or the burning sand, small pieces of wood were fastened to the soles of the feet, called “sandals.” Leather, or skins of beasts dressed, afterward were used. The foot was not covered at all, but the sandal, or piece of leather or wood, was bound by thongs. The people put off these when they enter a house, and put them on when they leave it. To unloose and bind on sandals, on such occasions, was formerly the business of the lowest servants. The expression in this place, therefore, denotes great…”

“He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire - He shall fill you with the Holy Ghost, inflaming your hearts with that fire of love, which many waters cannot quench. And this was done, even with a visible appearance as of fire, on the day of pentecost. Matthew 3:12”

“3:11 who is greater than I am: Despite his popularity and growing following, John had a clear sense of his role as subordinate to the Messiah. • I’m not worthy even to be his slave: In Jewish culture, to remove and carry someone’s sandals, even those of a rabbi, was too lowly a task even for the rabbi’s disciple. It was a job reserved for slaves. • with the Holy Spirit and with fire: This happened at Pentecost (see Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:1-47); the ministry of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit (see Matt 12:28; Luke 4:14), may also be included. Fire may refer to purification (Zech 13:9) or judgment (Mal 4:1; see Isa 1:25; 4:4; Mal 3:2-3). It is a “Spirit-and-fire baptism”; the Messiah puts…”

“baptize: Mat 3:6; Mar 1:4, Mar 1:8; Luk 3:3, Luk 3:16; Joh 1:26, Joh 1:33; Act 1:5, Act 11:16, Act 13:24, Act 19:4 but: Luk 1:17; Joh 1:15, Joh 1:26, Joh 1:27, Joh 1:30, Joh 1:34, Joh 3:23-36 whose: Mar 1:7; Luk 7:6, Luk 7:7; Act 13:25; Eph 3:8; Pe1 5:5 he shall: Isa 4:4, Isa 44:3, Isa 59:20, Isa 59:21; Zac 13:9; Mal 3:2-4; Mar 1:8; Luk 3:16; Joh 1:33; Act 1:5, Act 2:2-4, Act 11:15, Act 11:16; Co1 12:13; Gal 3:27, Gal 3:28 Matthew 3:12”