John Calvin Commentary Acts 13:25

"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." — Acts 13:25 (ASV)

When John fulfilled his course. The second part of the testimony is that when John drew near to the end of his course, he sent his disciples to Christ. For he had prepared them previously with the foundations of baptism, and then he sent them to Christ, directly, as they say.

And this interrogation, Whom do you think me to be? is not a question from one who doubts. For John rebukes and scolds the Jews because they falsely gave him the honor of the Messiah. Though it may be read in one text, "I am not he whom you take me to be," yet the other reading is more usual, as it also has greater force to refute the error.

Furthermore, his testimony deserves greater credit because he willingly refuses the honor offered him (which he might have taken for himself, not without praise) and submits himself to another. There certainly cannot be any suspicion of ambition or of seeking honor here that might discredit his words.

Behold, he comes; that is, he is about to come—a Hebrew phrase common enough in the New Testament. When he confesses that he is unworthy to loose the latchets of Christ’s shoes, it is a proverbial figure by which he humbles himself as much as he can, so that his own greatness does not overshadow Christ’s glory. For he meant to faithfully do what was entrusted to him, so that Christ alone might have the preeminence.

Therefore he says that however great he may be, he is still nothing in comparison to Christ. For though God’s servants have their dignity, yet when compared to Christ, they must all be as nothing, so that He alone may excel—just as we see all stars vanish, to give way to the brightness of the sun.