791. The Shoe Latchet

Listen from:
John 1:27. Whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
The latchet was a leathern thong by which the sandal was fastened to the shoe. It was the work of a servant to loosen this, and thus John expressed his deep humility and consciousness of insignificance when contrasted with his master. See also Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; Acts 13:25. The shoe latchet is likewise referred to in Isaiah 5:27.
See also note on Matthew 3:11 (#363).