MAT 3:11 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) I’m immersing people in water as a sign that they’re turning away from their sins, but there’s another one coming after me who’s greater than me—so much so that I’m not even worthy to carry his sandals. He’ll immerse you in the holy spirit and fire.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT I indeed baptize you with water for repentance. But the one coming after me is more powerful than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry away his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,

UST I use water to baptize you so that you stop doing what is wrong. However, soon you will see someone else who is more powerful than I am. It is not appropriate for me to be even his servant. He will give you the Holy Spirit and make you pure.

BSB I baptize you with water[fn] for repentance, but after me will come [One] more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with [the] Holy Spirit and with fire.[fn]

3:11 Or in water

3:11 Or in the Holy Spirit and in fire

MSB I baptize you with water[fn] for repentance, but after me will come [One] more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with [the] Holy Spirit.[fn]

3:11 Or in water

3:11 Or in the Holy Spirit; CT, GOC, and TR include and with fire or and in fire.

BLB I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but after me is coming He who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry the sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,

AICNT I indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but the one coming [after me][fn] is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; that one will baptize you with the Holy Spirit[fn] [and fire].[fn]

3:11, after me: Absent from 𝔓101.

3:11, Spirit: The Greek word is defined by BDAG as: (1) air in movement, blowing, breathing, (2) that which animates or gives life to the body, breath , (life-)spirit, (3) a part of human personality, spirit, (4) an independent noncorporeal being, in contrast to a being that can be perceived by the physical senses, spirit, or (5) God's being as controlling influence, with focus on association with humans, Spirit, spirit ... (c) Because of its heavenly origin and nature this Spirit is called (the) Holy Spirit. (BDAG, πνεῦμα)

3:11, and fire: Absent from some manuscripts.

OEB I, indeed, baptise you with water to teach repentance; but he who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

WEBBE “I indeed baptise you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you in the Holy Spirit.[fn]

3:11 TR and NU add “and with fire”

WMBB “I indeed immerse you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit.[fn]

3:11 TR and NU add “and with fire”

NET “I baptize you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am – I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

LSV I indeed immerse you in water for conversion, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry the sandals, He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire,

FBV Yes, I baptize you in water to show repentance, but after me is coming one who is greater than I am. I'm not worthy even to remove his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

TCNT “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy [fn]Spirit.

3:11 Spirit ¦ Spirit and fire ANT CT TR

T4T “As for me, I am not very important, because I baptize you only with water. I baptize you because of your feeling sorry that you have sinned. But someone else will come soon who is very great; he will do powerful deeds (OR, act powerfully). Because he is superior to me, I am not worthy even to do a menial task for him, such as to carry his sandals.
¶ He will put his Holy Spirit within you to truly change the way you live [MET], and he will judge others of you and punish you in the fire in hell.

LEB I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

BBE Truly, I give baptism with water to those of you whose hearts are changed; but he who comes after me is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to take up: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire:

Moff I baptize you with water for repentance,
⇔ but he who is coming after me is mightier,
⇔ and I am not fit even to carry his sandals;
⇔ he will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.

Wymth I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.

ASV 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:

DRA I indeed baptize you in the water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.

YLT 'I indeed do baptize you with water to reformation, but he who after me is coming is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to bear the sandals, he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,

Drby I indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; he shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;

RV I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
(I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh/comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: )

SLT I truly immerse you in water to repentance; but he coming after me is stronger than I, whose shoes I am not fit to lift up; he shall immerse in the Holy Spirit, and fire.

Wbstr I indeed baptize you with water to repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:

KJB-1769 I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
(I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh/comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: )

KJB-1611 I indeed baptize you with water vnto repentance: but he that commeth after mee, is mightier then I, whose shooes I am not worthy to beare, hee shall baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.
(I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh/comes after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptise you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.)

Bshps I baptize you in water vnto repentaunce: But he that shall come after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthy to beare, he shall baptize you with the holy ghost, and with fire.
(I baptise you in water unto repentance: But he that shall come after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptise you with the holy ghost, and with fire.)

Gnva In deede I baptize you with water to amendment of life, but he that commeth after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthie to beare: hee will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.
(In deed I baptise you with water to amendment of life, but he that cometh/comes after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he will baptise you with the holy Ghost, and with fire. )

Cvdl I baptise you with water to repentaunce: but he that cometh after me, is myghtier the I, whose shues I am not worthy to beare. He shall baptise you with ye holy goost & wt fyre:
(I baptise you with water to repentance: but he that cometh/comes after me, is mightier the I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptise you with ye/you_all holy ghost and with fire:)

TNT I baptise you in water in toke of repentaunce: but he that cometh after me is myghtier then I whose shues I am not worthy to beare. He shall baptise you with the holy gost and with fyre:
(I baptise you in water in took of repentance: but he that cometh/comes after me is mightier then I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptise you with the holy gost and with fire: )

Wycl Y waische you in water, in to penaunce; but he that shal come after me is strongere than Y, whos schoon Y am not worthi to bere; he shal baptise you in the Hooli Goost and fier.
(I wash you in water, in to penance; but he that shall come after me is stronger than I, whose shoen I am not worthy to bere; he shall baptise you in the Holy Ghost and fire.)

Luth Ich taufe euch mit Wasser zur Buße; der aber nach mir kommt, ist stärker denn ich, dem ich auch nicht genugsam bin, seine Schuhe zu tragen; der wird euch mit dem Heiligen Geist und mit Feuer taufen.
(I taufe you with water to/for Buße; the/of_the but after to_me comes, is stronger because/than I, to_him I also not enough am, his shoes to/for bear/carry; the/of_the becomes you with to_him saints/holy_ones spirit and with fire(n) baptise.)

ClVg Ego quidem baptizo vos in aqua in pœnitentiam: qui autem post me venturus est, fortior me est, cujus non sum dignus calceamenta portare: ipse vos baptizabit in Spiritu Sancto, et igni.[fn]
(I indeed baptizo you(pl) in/into/on water in/into/on repentance: who/which however after me coming it_is, stronger me it_is, whose not/no I_am worthy calceamenta to_carry: exactly_that/himself you(pl) will_baptise/immerse in/into/on By_Spirit Holy, and fire. )

3.11 Ego quidem. Ne videatur sua auctoritate minari, incipit aperire quantæ sit dignitatis: cujus præsentia comminatur, vel cujus beneficii persuadet: Ego quidem baptizo vos in aqua. Tantum corpora lavo, quia peccata solvere nequeo, ut sicut nascendo, prædicando, præcurro sic baptizando: ut pœnitentes, quos ego hoc signaculo ab impœnitentibus discerno, ad baptismum Christi dirigam. Post me venturus est. Et si moneo dignos fructus pœnitentiæ facere, superbiam abjicere: non tamen possum a peccatis solvere. Fortior me est. Quia ego baptizo in pœnitentiam, ille in remissionem. Ego spiritum habeo, ille dat. Ego regnum cœlorum prædico, ille dat. Cujus non sum, etc. Alii scribunt: Cujus non sum dignus corrigiam calceamenti solvere. Potuit autem Joannes utrumque dicere, vel contextim vel diverso tempore: ut alius evangelista hoc, alius illud assumere. Omnes tamen verum narraverunt. Intendit autem in hoc ostendere excellentiam Christi et suam humilitatem. Vel secundum allegoriam. Calceamentum est incarnationis mysterium; corrigia, mysterii ligatura. Non ergo valet Joannes corrigiam solvere, quia incarnationis mysterium non sufficit investigare. Vel, Non sum dignus solvere corrigiam calceamenti ejus, id est, nomen sponsi mihi non usurpo, nec sponsus credi vel dici, sed amicus sponsi volo. Mos enim erat ut si quis eam quæ sibi competeret accipere in uxorem nollet, ille ei calceamentum solveret qui ad hanc sponsus jure propinquitatis accederet. Joannes ergo, qui non sponsus, ait: Non sum dignus, etc. Ac si dicat. Ego redemptoris vestigia non valeo denudare: quia nomen sponsi non mihi usurpo. Vel simpliciter se humiliat, vel Evangelii sacramenta non est dignus circumferre prædicando, quod non sibi deputatum, apostolis est commissum. Non sum dignus explicare naturam Divinitatis ad humanitatem. Vel, non sum dignus Evangelii prædicationem portare, vel nomen sponsi usurpare. Joannes ut purus homo spiritum dare non poterat, quo remittitur culpa. Christus vero dat, quia Deus: et baptizat in verbo, de quo dicitur: Et vos mundi estis propter verbum quod locutus sum vobis Joan. 15.; et alibi: Mundans eos lavacro aquæ in verbo vitæ sanctificatæ Ephes. 5.. In Spiritu sancto. Vel spiritu sanctificationis, et igne, id est probatione tribulationis. Vel spiritu in præsenti abluit: post, si quæ macula surrepit, igne purgatorio ad purum exuret: quod de levioribus credendum est peccatis. Unde in Levitico, super altare semper ignis missus de cœlo ardebat, id est, ignis divini amoris, qui omnes in Christo (id est, qui super altare offeruntur), quasi rebaptizat et exurit carnis eorum vitia.

3.11 I indeed. Don't it_seems his_own by_authority minari, begins to_open quantæ be dignity: whose presence comminatur, or whose beneficii persuadet: I indeed baptizo you(pl) in/into/on water. Only bodies lavo, because sins to_solve nequeo, as like nascendo, preaching, beforecurro so baptizando: as penitents, which I this signsculo away impœnitentibus discerno, to baptism of_Christ dirigam. After me coming it_is. And when/but_if moneo worthy fruit of_repentance to_do, pride abyicere: not/no nevertheless I_can from sins to_solve. Fortior me it_is. Because I baptizo in/into/on repentance, he/that_one in/into/on remission. I spirit I_have, he/that_one gives. I kingdom of_the_heavens beforedico, he/that_one gives. Cuyus not/no I_am, etc. Others scribunt: Cuyus not/no I_am worthy I_will_correct_you calceamenti to_solve. Potuit however Yoannes both to_say, or contextim or diverso at_the_time: as another evangelist hoc, another it/this/that assumere. All_of_them nevertheless true they_told. Intendit however in/into/on this to_show excellentiam of_Christ and his_own humility. Or after/second allegoriam. Calceamentum it_is incarnation mystery; corrigia, mysteries tietura. Not/No therefore valet Yoannes I_will_correct_you to_solve, because incarnation mystery not/no enough investigare. Or, Not/No I_am worthy to_solve I_will_correct_you calceamenti his, that it_is, name grooms to_me not/no usurp, but_not groom to_be_believed or to_be_said, but a_friend grooms I_want. Mos because was as when/but_if who/any her which to_himself would_be_appropriate to_receive in/into/on wife he/she/it_would_not_like, he/that_one to_him shoe/sandal to_solvet who/which to this groom right/justly relativestatis to_approacht. Yoannes therefore, who/which not/no groom, he_said: Not/No I_am worthy, etc. Ac when/but_if let_him_say. I redeemer/farmeris footsteps not/no valeo denudare: because name grooms not/no to_me usurp. Or simply himself humiliate, or of_the_Gospels sacraments not/no it_is worthy to_carry_around preaching, that not/no to_himself deputatum, apostles it_is commissum. Not/No I_am worthy explicare nature Divinitatis to humanity. Or, not/no I_am worthy of_the_Gospels preaching to_carry, or name grooms usurpare. Yoannes as purus human spirit dare not/no he_could, where remittitur guilt. Christ/Messiah indeed/however gives, because God: and baptizat in/into/on word, from/about where it_is_said: And you(pl) world you_are because the_word/saying that spoke I_am to_you(pl) Yohan 15.; and alibi: Mundans them lavacro water in/into/on word of_life sanctificatæ Ephes. 5.. In By_Spirit holy. Or in_spirit of_sanctification, and with_fire, that it_is approvesione tribulation. Or in_spirit in/into/on present abluit: post, when/but_if which blemish/stain surrepit, with_fire purgatorio to purum exuret: that from/about levioribus to_be_believed it_is sins. From_where/who in/into/on Levitico, over the_altar always fire missus from/about sky ardebat, that it_is, fire divine of_love, who/which everyone in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah (id it_is, who/which over the_altar are_offered), as_if rebaptizat and exurit of_flesh their vices.

UGNT ἐγὼ μὲν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν, ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μού ἐστιν, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι. αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί.
(egō men humas baptizō en hudati eis metanoian, ho de opisō mou erⱪomenos isⱪuroteros mou estin, hou ouk eimi hikanos ta hupodaʸmata bastasai. autos humas baptisei en Pneumati Hagiōi kai puri.)

SBL-GNT Ἐγὼ μὲν ⸂ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω⸃ ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν· ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μού ἐστιν, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι· αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ ⸂καὶ πυρί⸃·
(Egō men ⸂humas baptizō⸃ en hudati eis metanoian; ho de opisō mou erⱪomenos isⱪuroteros mou estin, hou ouk eimi hikanos ta hupodaʸmata bastasai; autos humas baptisei en pneumati hagiōi ⸂kai puri⸃;)

RP-GNT Ἐγὼ μὲν βαπτίζω ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν· ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μου ἐστίν, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι· αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν πνεύματι ἁγίῳ.
(Egō men baptizō humas en hudati eis metanoian; ho de opisō mou erⱪomenos isⱪuroteros mou estin, hou ouk eimi hikanos ta hupodaʸmata bastasai; autos humas baptisei en pneumati hagiōi.)

TC-GNT Ἐγὼ μὲν [fn]βαπτίζω ὑμᾶς ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν· ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μου ἐστίν, οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι· αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι [fn]Ἁγίῳ.
(Egō men baptizō humas en hudati eis metanoian; ho de opisō mou erⱪomenos isⱪuroteros mou estin, hou ouk eimi hikanos ta hupodaʸmata bastasai; autos humas baptisei en Pneumati Hagiōi. )

3:11 βαπτιζω υμας ¦ υμας βαπτιζω CT

3:11 αγιω ¦ αγιω και πυρι ANT CT TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–12: John the Baptist taught people to repent and obey God

The story starting at 3:1 occurred about twenty-eight years after 2:23. Matthew did not tell what happened during those twenty-eight years. But he restarted the story at this time in Jesus’ life because Jesus was ready to begin the work that God gave him to do. He began at the time God chose for him.

John the Baptist was the last prophet before Jesus. The story of how John was born is in Luke chapter 1. He was the prophet whom God said would come (3:3). John wore the kind of clothes prophets often wore (3:4). He baptized people who repented. John preached that Jesus would be greater than he was (3:11).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The work of John the Baptist/Baptizer

The work of John who baptized people

John the Baptizer preached repentance and submission to God’s rule

John the Baptizer prepared people to receive the Lord

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:1, Luke 3:1–18 and John 1:19–28.

Paragraph 3:11–12

In 3:7–10, John had been speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees. In this paragraph, he was apparently speaking to the entire crowd. He was baptizing only those who had changed their behavior from bad to good.

3:11a

I baptize you with water for repentance,

¶ “I baptize you^(plur) with water as a sign that you have repented.
¶ “I am baptizing people using water to show that they have turned away from their evil ways and turned to God.

I baptize you with water: The phrase I baptize you with water means “I baptize you using water.” When John baptized people, he did so using the water of the Jordan River.

If your word for “baptize” is a term like “wash/cleanse with water,” it may be redundant or unnatural to add the phrase with water. In such a case, you may need to say something like:

I wash/cleanse you with only water

I bathe you with water using this water

I: The word I is emphatic in Greek. In addition, a word in Greek follows the word I that indicates the first half of a contrast. The contrast is between what I (John) did and what he (Jesus) was to do. I, John, baptize with water, but he will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

baptize: The word baptize also occurs in 3:6. You should translate it here as you did there.

you: John used the word you to speak in general about anybody whom he baptized. This included those listening to him, and many others besides. So in some languages, it may be more natural to translate the pronoun you more generally. For example:

I baptize people with water

I baptize with water (NLT)

for repentance: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as for repentance can also be translated as:

to show that you have repented (GNT)

as a sign of your repentance (JBP)

to show that your hearts and lives have changed (NCV)

See repentance in the note at 3:8 for more information about this word.

3:11b

but after me will come One more powerful than I,

But someone is coming after me who is much greater than I am.
But a person following/succeeding me will soon come. He is much superior to me.

but: There is a contrast between 3:11a and 3:11b–d. The contrast is between what John did and what Jesus will do. John baptized with water, but Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction but.

after me: Here the phrase after me refers to being later in time. It does not refer to coming behind someone. John had already begun his work for God, and Jesus was about to begin his work.

Here are some other ways to translate the clause “after me will come One”:

the one who will come following/succeeding me

the person who will come later

One more powerful than I: The expression more powerful in this context means “having more authority,” or “greater.” For example:

he who is greater than I am (NCV)

One who is superior to me

One: Here the word One refers to the Christ/Messiah.

3:11c

whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.

I am not even worthy to carry his sandals for him.
He is so far superior to me that I am not even good enough to be his servant and carry his shoes.

whose sandals I am not worthy to carry: With this statement, John emphasized how much greater the Messiah was than he was. In New Testament times, it was the work of a slave to carry his master’s sandals. John was saying that the Messiah was so much greater than he was that he was not important enough even to be his slave.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Keep the image of carrying the sandals. For example:
I am not worthy to carry his sandals. (NRSV)
Keep the image and add a footnote to explain the meaning of carrying someone’s sandals. For example the CEV footnote says:
carry his sandals: This was one of the duties of a slave. (CEV)
Translate the meaning of the image. For example:
I am not even worthy to be his slave. (NLT96)

sandal with thongs

sandals: The word sandals refers to a type of open shoe. The sandals people wore in that time were usually pieces of leather that made a shoe sole (bottom). This leather sole was tied on the foot with leather straps or thongs.

Here is another way to translate this word:

shoes

I am not worthy: The Greek word that the BSB translates as worthy means “qualified” or “adequate” to do something. John felt that he was not important enough to even act as Jesus’ slave. He felt he did not deserve the honor of serving him. He was emphasizing how great Jesus was.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I do not have enough worth/value

I am not good/important enough

it is not acceptable for me

In this context, the focus of worthy is on John’s status, not his character. Do not imply that John was a bad or evil person. Also do not imply that John was not physically able to do this task.

3:11d

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

He will baptize you^(plur) by means of the Holy Spirit and fire.
As for his baptism, he will use the Holy Spirit and fire to baptize you.

In 3:11d, John told the people another way that the Messiah was superior to him: The Messiah’s baptism would be superior to his baptism. John’s baptism was a physical baptism. He baptized with water. But the Messiah would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: Here the word baptize is used in a figurative sense. Scholars interpret this figurative meaning in two main ways:

Jesus would cleanse/purify God’s people with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Jesus would cleanse/purify God’s people with the Holy Spirit and judge others with fire.

You should translate this so that people can interpret this part of the verse in either of these ways.

If possible, you should try to use the normal term in your language for “baptize,” in order to keep the contrast between John’s baptism and the Messiah’s baptism. For example:

When he baptizes you, he will use the Holy Spirit and fire.

As for him, he will baptize you by means of the Holy Spirit and fire.

When he baptizes you, he will cause the Holy Spirit to initiate/purify you. He will also cause you to experience fire.

In some languages, it may not be possible to use the normal term for “baptize” with a figurative meaning. For example, it may not be possible to use the term “initiate with water” with the words Holy Spirit and fire. If that is the case in your language, you may need to use different verbs and express the contrast in different ways. For example:

In contrast, what he will do to you^(plur) is to initiate/purify you with the Holy Spirit. He will also cause you to experience fire.

See also baptize, Meaning 2, in the Glossary.

He: In Greek, the pronoun He is emphatic. It refers to the Messiah/Christ, and contrasts with the pronoun “I” in 3:11a.

with the Holy Spirit: The Greek word that the BSB translates as with indicates the means by which the Messiah will baptize people. He will baptize them with or “by using” the Holy Spirit. It does not mean that the Messiah along with the Holy Spirit will baptize people.

Holy Spirit: The phrase Holy Spirit refers to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is God, together with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is Spirit in the sense that he is a living being who does not have a physical body. He is Holy in the sense that he is God and unique from every other being. He is perfect in every way and is completely pure and sinless.

Here are some other ways to translate Holy Spirit:

Spirit/Breath of God

Holy/Sacred Spirit

Do not imply that the Holy Spirit is like the ghost of a dead person or that God has died.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἰς μετάνοιαν

to repentance

Here, the phrase for repentance could describe: (1) the purpose for which John baptizes people. Alternate translation: [so that you repent] (2) what John’s baptism represents or signifies. Alternate translation: [with reference to repentance] or [to show your repentance]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

εἰς μετάνοιαν

to repentance

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of repentance, you could express the same idea in another way. Make sure your translation fits with the option you chose in the previous note. Alternate translation: [in order that you might repent] or [to show that you have repented]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ὁ & ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος

the_‹one› & after (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ μέν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν ὁ δέ ὀπίσω μού ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερος μού ἐστίν οὗ οὐκ εἰμί ἱκανός τά ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι Αὐτός ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καί πυρί)

Here John speaks as if someone is walking behind him. He could mean that: (1) soon someone will continue what John has started doing. Alternate translation: [the one who will preach after I have] (2) one of his own disciples will become greater than he. Alternate translation: [one of my disciples]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

μού

John is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the sentence if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [I am]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς τὰ ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι

not (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ μέν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν ὁ δέ ὀπίσω μού ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερος μού ἐστίν οὗ οὐκ εἰμί ἱκανός τά ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι Αὐτός ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καί πυρί)

Here, to carry someone’s sandals was a duty of a slave. John means that he is not worthy to be a slave to this person who is coming after him. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [I am not worthy to be the slave who carries away his sandals] or [I am not worthy to act as his slave]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

αὐτὸς ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ μέν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν ὁ δέ ὀπίσω μού ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερος μού ἐστίν οὗ οὐκ εἰμί ἱκανός τά ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι Αὐτός ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καί πυρί)

Here John indicates that the one coming after him will cause people to experience the Holy Spirit and fire, just as John caused people to experience water in baptism. If possible, preserve the baptism metaphor or express the idea in simile form. Alternate translation: [He will baptize you, as it were, with the Holy Spirit and with fire] or [He also will perform something like baptism, but he will use the Holy Spirit and fire]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καὶ πυρί

in in ˓the˒_Spirit Holy (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ μέν ὑμᾶς βαπτίζω ἐν ὕδατι εἰς μετάνοιαν ὁ δέ ὀπίσω μού ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερος μού ἐστίν οὗ οὐκ εἰμί ἱκανός τά ὑποδήματα βαστάσαι Αὐτός ὑμᾶς βαπτίσει ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ καί πυρί)