Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 3:11

"I indeed baptize you in 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 in the Holy Spirit and [in] fire:" — Matthew 3:11 (ASV)

Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. The word here translated "shoes" has a meaning different from what it has in our language. At first, to keep the feet from sharp stones or burning sand, small pieces of wood were fastened to the soles of the feet, called sandals. Leather, or dressed skins of animals, were afterwards used. The foot was not covered at all; but the sandal, or piece of leather or wood, was bound by thongs.

The wooden sandal is commonly worn in Arabia, Judea, and Egypt. It has a raised heel and toe, as represented in some illustrations; and, though often expensive and neat, it was usually a cheap, coarse, and very clumsy article.

People took these off when they entered a house and put them on when they left. To unfasten and fasten sandals on such occasions was the task of the lowest servants; and their duty was to unfasten and carry their masters' sandals. The expression here, then, was one of great humility; and John says that he was not worthy to be the servant of Him who was to come after him.

Shall baptize you. He shall send upon you the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is frequently represented as being poured out upon His people (Proverbs 1:23; Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28–29; Acts 2:17–18).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the same, therefore, as the sending of His influences to convert, purify, and guide the soul.

The Holy Ghost: The Third Person of the adorable Trinity, whose office it is to enlighten, renew, sanctify, and comfort the soul. He was promised by the Savior to convince of sin (John 16:8), to enlighten or teach the disciples (John 14:26; John 16:13), to comfort them in the absence of the Savior (John 14:18; John 16:7), and to change the heart (Titus 3:5).

To be baptized with the Holy Ghost means that the Messiah would send upon the world a far more powerful and mighty influence than had attended the preaching of John. Many more would be converted. A mighty change would take place. His ministry would not affect the external life only, but the heart, the motives, the soul; and produce rapid and permanent changes in the lives of people .

With fire. This expression has been understood in various ways. Some have supposed that this refers to the afflictions and persecutions with which people would be tried under the gospel; others, that the word fire means judgment or wrath. He would baptize a part of His hearers with the Holy Ghost, but the wicked with fire and vengeance. Fire is a symbol of vengeance (Isaiah 61:2; Isaiah 66:24).

If this is the meaning, as seems probable, then John says that the ministry of the Messiah would be far more powerful than his own was. It would be more searching and trying; and those who were not able to withstand the test would be cast into eternal fire.

Some have supposed, however, that by fire here, John intends to denote that His ministry would be refining, powerful, and purifying, as fire is sometimes an emblem of purity (Malachi 3:2). It is difficult to ascertain the precise meaning, other than that His ministry would be very trying, purifying, and searching. Multitudes would be converted; and those who were not true penitents would not be able to endure the trial and would be driven away.