Acts 13:25 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) As John was completing his ministry he said [to the great crowds], ‘Who do you people think I am? [No], I am not the Messiah. But look, Someone is coming [to Israel] after [I complete] my mission whose sandal straps I am not even worthy to unfasten.’ More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 And 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. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition And as John was ending his course, he asked, What or who do you secretly think that I am? I am not He [the Christ. No], but note that after me One is coming, the sandals of Whose feet I am not worthy to untie! American Standard Version (1901) And 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. Common English Bible As John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you think I am, but he is coming after me. I’m not worthy to loosen his sandals.’ Catholic Public Domain Version Then, when John completed his course, he was saying: 'I am not the one you consider me to be. For behold, one arrives after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to loosen.' Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And 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. |
“I certainly am immersing you in water following [your] repentance, but the One who follows me [i.e., in my ministry], whose sandals I do not deserve to remove [as His slave], will immerse you people with the Holy Spirit and with fire [i.e., the punishment in hell. See verses 10 and 12].
In his preaching John said, “One who is more powerful than I am will follow my ministry. I am not [even] worthy to stoop down and loosen the straps of His sandals [i.e., to serve as His slave].
On the next day John [the Immerser] saw Jesus approaching him and said, “Look, [there is] the Lamb of God; He [will] take away the sin of the people of the world.
And I have seen and given testimony that this person is the Son of God.”
And when he saw Jesus walking by, he said, “Look, [there is] the Lamb of God!”
Jesus answered them; “My food is doing what God, who sent me, wants me to, and accomplishing His work.
The person who speaks on his own authority is [just] trying to gain honor for himself. But the One who tries to gain honor from God, who sent Him, is [committed to] truth, and there is nothing false in His heart.
For David died and was buried with his forefathers and [his body] decayed after he had served his generation according to the purpose of God.
Paul [then] said, “John immersed people who [demonstrated their] repentance, telling them they must believe in Jesus, the One who would come after him.”
But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God’s unearned favor [through Christ].
For we do not preach ourselves, but [we preach] Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.
I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment].
And when they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the pit [See 13:1ff; 17:3,7] will wage war against them, and overpower and kill them.