Matthew Poole and continuators on John 1:27

27. He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me , whose shoo's latchet I am not worthy to unloose .

Iohn the Baptist, had before told them, He that cometh after me, is preferred before me. See the Notes there. He now repeateth those words; and it is observable, that the three other Evangelists all put this Passage before the History of Christ's coming to him to be Baptized. So as it is probable, that these Messengers came to Iohn as he was Baptizing, and either immediately before or after Christ's Baptism, Christ being yet in the Croud, he repeateth to his hearers, what he had a little before said of him, that he was to be preferred before him.

He here inlargeth upon it with a Proverbial Speech, which the other Evangelists have, with a very little variation; Matthew saith, whose Shoo's I am not worthy to bear: that is, to perform unto him the very meanest Service or Office. We have such forms of Speeches in use at this day amongst us, when we would express the great pre-eminence of some one above another; we say of that other, He is not worthy to tye his Shoo's; Or, to carry his Shoo's after him. There is a vast difference between Christ, and the most excellent of his Ministers; which as to Baptism lieth here; the Ministerial Baptism is but with Water; Christ Baptizeth with the Holy Ghost, and fire, Matth. 3.11. or with the Holy Ghost, as Mar. 1.8.

Marginal references: Mat. 3.11. ver. 15, 30. Mar. 1.8. Luke 3.26. ch. 1.15. Act. 19.4.