King James Version

What Does Acts 13:25 Mean?

Acts 13:25 in the King James Version says “And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me,... — study this verse from Acts chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

Acts 13:25 · KJV


Context

23

Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And as John fulfilled his course (ὡς δὲ ἐπλήρου Ἰωάννης τὸν δρόμον)—Paul recounts the Baptizer's testimony using dromos (course/race), the same athletic metaphor Paul later applied to his own ministry (Acts 20:24, 2 Timothy 4:7). John's ministry was a divinely appointed assignment with a defined beginning and end.

Whom think ye that I am? I am not he—John's emphatic self-denial anticipates Jesus's identity questions (Matthew 16:15, "Whom say ye that I am?"). The Baptist's radical humility contrasts with messianic pretenders of the era. Whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose (οὗ οὐκ εἰμὶ ἄξιος τὸ ὑπόδημα τῶν ποδῶν λῦσαι)—Untying sandals was work beneath a Hebrew slave, yet John declared himself unworthy even for this menial task before Christ. This echoes all four Gospels' record of John's testimony (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16, John 1:27), demonstrating the early church's unified preservation of his witness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul quoted John's words during his sermon in Pisidian Antioch's synagogue (c. AD 47-48). John the Baptist had been executed by Herod Antipas approximately 15 years earlier (c. AD 28-29). Paul's audience would have known John's reputation—Josephus confirms his widespread influence (Antiquities 18.5.2). Quoting the Baptist established continuity between Jewish expectation and Christian proclamation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does John's self-effacing humility challenge modern Christian leadership models that emphasize personal platform and influence?
  2. Paul references John's testimony in his evangelistic sermon—what role does John's witness still play in declaring Christ's supremacy today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ὡς1 of 29

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

δὲ2 of 29

And

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐπλήρου3 of 29

fulfilled

G4137

to make replete, i.e., (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute

4 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰωάννης5 of 29

John

G2491

joannes (i.e., jochanan), the name of four israelites

τὸν6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δρόμον7 of 29

his course

G1408

a race, i.e., (figuratively) career

ἔλεγεν8 of 29

he said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Τίνα9 of 29

Whom

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

με10 of 29

that I

G3165

me

ὑπονοεῖτε11 of 29

think ye

G5282

to think under (privately), i.e., to surmise or conjecture

εἶναι12 of 29

am

G1511

to exist

οὐκ13 of 29

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἰμὶ14 of 29

I am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἐγώ·15 of 29

I

G1473

i, me

ἀλλ'16 of 29

he But

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἰδού,17 of 29

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ἔρχεται18 of 29

there cometh one

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

μετ'19 of 29

after

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

ἐμὲ20 of 29

me

G1691

me

οὗ21 of 29

whose

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ22 of 29

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἰμὶ23 of 29

I am

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἄξιος24 of 29

worthy

G514

deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)

τὸ25 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπόδημα26 of 29

shoes

G5266

something bound under the feet, i.e., a shoe or sandal

τῶν27 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποδῶν28 of 29

of his feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

λῦσαι29 of 29

to loose

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 13:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 13:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study