John 1:27 Commentary and Bible Study

John the Baptist refers again to the one he had spoken about on the previous day, who though born after him is far greater than him, even though John was a prophet, and more than a prophet. So great is the Messiah that the normal rule should not apply. If you were the disciple of a leading Rabbi and part of the inner circle, you were not allowed to undo his sandal thong for that was considered going too far and humbling yourself too much. That was the job of a slave, but, says John, I am not fit to do it. The Pharisees had come to interrogate John because vast crowds had come out to him in this desert place, but what they found was a deeply humble man who continually pointed away from himself to another who as yet they did not know anything about. John was diligently carrying out the ministry assigned him by God and was altogether taken up with the greatness of the Messiah.