Matthew 3:11-12
3:11 a who is greater than I am: Despite his popularity and growing following, John had a clear sense of his role as subordinate to the Messiah.• I’m not worthy even to be his slave: In Jewish culture, to remove and carry someone’s sandals, even those of a rabbi, was too lowly a task even for the rabbi’s disciple. It was a job reserved for slaves.
• with the Holy Spirit and with fire: This happened at Pentecost (see Joel 2:28-29 b; Acts 2:1-47 c); the ministry of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit (see Matt 12:28 d; Luke 4:14 e), may also be included. Fire may refer to purification (Zech 13:9 f) or judgment (Mal 4:1 g; see Isa 1:25 h; 4:4 i; Mal 3:2-3 j). It is a “Spirit-and-fire baptism”; the Messiah puts into effect what John could only prepare—thoroughgoing judgment and purification.
3:12 k Farmers would use a winnowing fork to toss harvested grain into the air, allowing the useless husks (chaff) to blow away. The Messiah’s ministry divides all humanity into two groups: (1) the wheat, that is, those who respond, forming the new people of God; and (2) the chaff, the unrepentant (see 3:8 l).
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