Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary-17 Verse 16-17. On these verses see Matt. iii. 11, 12, and Mark i. 7, 8, and particularly the note on John iii. 5.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. John answered, saying unto them all , etc.] For some of them might not only so think in their hearts, but express with their mouths the apprehension they had of him; and might put the question to him, as the priests and Levites from Jerusalem afterwards did; or he might know the secret thoughts of their hearts by divine revelation; or be apprized by his disciples of the private sentiments of the people concerning him: and therefore, to put them out of doubt, and that he might not have an honour conferred on him, which did not belong to him, he addressed himself, in a very public manner, to the whole multitude, in the hearing of them all: though the word all is left out in the Syriac and Persic versions, but rightly retained in others, being in all copies, and having a considerable emphasis on it: and said the following words. I indeed baptize you with water ; Matthew adds unto repentance; upon the profession of repentance: but one mightier than I cometh ; that is, after me ; as Matthew records it: the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose ; neither to bear his shoes after him, as Matthew says, nor to untie his shoe string, or unbuckle his shoe, both which were menial actions with the Jews: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire; as he did some of their nation, his own disciples, on the day of pentecost; (See Gill on Matthew 3:11) Ver. 17. Whose fan is in his hand , etc.] (See Gill on Matthew 3:12) Ver. 18. And many other thing's , etc.] Relating to the person and office of the Messiah, to the nature of his kingdom, the Gospel dispensation, and to faith in him; for he pointed him out to the people, and exhorted them to believe in him, and expressed much joy and pleasure on the hearing of his success and increase; and these, with others beside, in his exhortation, or whilst he was exhorting , or comforting, preached he unto the people : publishing the Gospel, the good news, and glad tidings of the Messiah's being come, and of life, righteousness, and salvation by him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-20 - John the Baptist disowned being himself the Christ, but confirmed the people in their expectations of the long-promised Messiah. He coul only exhort them to repent, and assure them of forgiveness upo repentance; but he could not work repentance in them, nor confe remission on them. Thus highly does it become us to speak of Christ and thus humbly of ourselves. John can do no more than baptize with water, in token that they ought to purify and cleanse themselves; but Christ can, and will baptize with the Holy Ghost; he can give the Spirit, to cleanse and purify the heart, not only as water washes of the dirt on the outside, but as fire clears out the dross that is within, and melts down the metal, that it may be cast into a new mould John was an affectionate preacher; he was beseeching; he pressed thing home upon his hearers. He was a practical preacher; quickening them to their duty, and directing them in it. He was a popular preacher; he addressed the people, according to their capacity. He was a evangelical preacher. In all his exhortations, he directed people to Christ. When we press duty upon people, we must direct them to Christ both for righteousness and strength. He was a copious preacher; he shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God. But a full stop wa put to John's preaching when he was in the midst of his usefulness Herod being reproved by him for many evils, shut up John in prison Those who injure the faithful servants of God, add still greater guil to their other sins.
Greek Textus Receptus
απεκρινατο 611 5662 V-ADI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM ιωαννης 2491 N-NSM απασιν 537 A-DPM λεγων 3004 5723 V-PAP-NSM εγω 1473 P-1NS μεν 3303 PRT υδατι 5204 N-DSN βαπτιζω 907 5719 V-PAI-1S υμας 5209 P-2AP ερχεται 2064 5736 V-PNI-3S δε 1161 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM ισχυροτερος 2478 A-NSM-C μου 3450 P-1GS ου 3739 R-GSM ουκ 3756 PRT-N ειμι 1510 5748 V-PXI-1S ικανος 2425 A-NSM λυσαι 3089 5658 V-AAN τον 3588 T-ASM ιμαντα 2438 N-ASM των 3588 T-GPN υποδηματων 5266 N-GPN αυτου 846 P-GSM αυτος 846 P-NSM υμας 5209 P-2AP βαπτισει 907 5692 V-FAI-3S εν 1722 PREP πνευματι 4151 N-DSN αγιω 40 A-DSN και 2532 CONJ πυρι 4442 N-DSN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
16. One mightier (o iscuroterov). The definite article points to an expected personage. Hence better as Rev., he that is mightier.Unloose (lusai). So also Mark; but Matthew bastasai, to bear. See on Matt. iii. 11.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:16 {He that is mightier than I} (ho iscuroteros mou). Like #Mr 1:7, "the one mightier than I." Ablative case (mou) of comparison. John would not turn aside for the flattery of the crowd. He was able to take his own measure in comparison with the Messiah and was loyal to him (see my _John the Loyal_). Compare #Lu 3:16 with #Mr 1:7f. and #Mt 3:11f. for discussion of details. Luke has "fire" here after "baptize with the Holy Ghost" as #Mt 3:11, which see. this bold Messianic picture in the Synoptic Gospels shows that John saw the Messiah's coming as a judgment upon the world like fire and the fan of the thrashing-floor, and with unquenchable fire for the chaff (#Lu 3:17; Mt 3:12). But he had the spiritual conception also, the baptism in the Holy Spirit which will characterize the Messiah's Mission and so will far transcend the water baptism which marked the ministry of John.
