I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

MATTHEW 3:11KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 3:11 (KJV)

What does Matthew 3:11 mean?

Matthew 3:11 contrasts John the Baptist’s work with the greater work of the one coming after him, Jesus. John’s water baptism is connected with repentance, a turning away from wrongdoing. Jesus will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

John is addressing people who have come to him at the Jordan River, including Pharisees and Sadducees, two Jewish religious groups. His words about carrying another person’s shoes picture a lowly servant’s task. John uses that image to show how far beneath the coming one he considers himself.

The Greek behind Matthew 3:11

  • “repentance” — μετάνοια (metanoia): This word means a change of mind or heart that involves turning away from wrongdoing. John connects his water baptism with that turning.
  • “baptize” — βαπτίζω (baptizō): This word carries the sense of dipping or immersing. John uses the same word for his own action with water and for what the coming one will do with the Holy Ghost and fire.
  • “worthy” — ἱκανός (hikanos): This word can mean fit or qualified for a task. John applies the word to himself when speaking of carrying the coming one’s shoes.

Why Matthew 3:11 matters

  • John points beyond himself. “He that cometh after me” refers to Jesus, who arrives to be baptized in verse 13.
  • The “Holy Ghost” is an older English way of saying “Holy Spirit,” meaning God’s Spirit. John names the Holy Spirit alongside fire as part of the coming one’s work.
  • Christians understand the fire in different ways: some connect it with judgment, while others connect it with cleansing or with the Spirit’s coming. The warning about fire in the surrounding passage gives the word a serious setting.

Where else these words appear

“shoes” Greek G5266 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
  • Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
  • John 1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

“repentance” Greek G3341 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
  • Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

“than” Greek G2478 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
  • 1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

“bear” Greek G941 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
  • John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
  • Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.