27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
27 He comes after me, but he is not in second place to me. I'm not even worthy to hold his coat for him."
27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."
27 Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 1:27
Commentary on John 1:19-28
(Read John 1:19-28)
John disowns himself to be the Christ, who was now expected and waited for. He came in the spirit and power of Elias, but he was not the person of Elias. John was not that Prophet whom Moses said the Lord would raise up to them of their brethren, like unto him. He was not such a prophet as they expected, who would rescue them from the Romans. He gave such an account of himself, as might excite and awaken them to hearken to him. He baptized the people with water as a profession of repentance, and as an outward sign of the spiritual blessings to be conferred on them by the Messiah, who was in the midst of them, though they knew him not, and to whom he was unworthy to render the meanest service.