He was preaching and saying: “After me comes One more powerful than I, before whom, bowing down, I am not worthy even to untie the straps of his sandals.
In these words the humility of John the Baptist and the true purpose of his ministry are seen. He did not direct the people gathered around him toward himself, but toward Christ. “The One stronger than I” shows that Jesus is not merely the next preacher, but is immeasurably higher than John in his nature and power. John considers himself unworthy to serve Him even in the smallest task, so that in this way he might show Christ’s glory more clearly. This is an example of true spiritual ministry: the closer a person comes to God, the more humble he becomes before Him, and the more faithfully he points to the Lord, not to himself.