A Gift Beyond Compare.

John was setting forth the anticipatory and ancillary value of his own baptism, showing that it had no other purpose than to lead to repentance. He did not say he baptized with water of forgiveness, but of repentance. He pointed toward Christ’s baptism, full of inexpressible gifts.

John seems to be saying: “On being told that he comes after me, you must not think lightly of him because he comes later. When you understand the power of Christ’s gift, you will see that I said nothing lofty or noble when I said ‘I am unworthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ When you hear, ‘He is mightier than I,’ do not imagine that I said this by way of comparison. For I am not worthy to be ranked so much as among Christ’s servants, no, not even the lowest of his servants, nor to receive the least honored portion of his ministry.”

Therefore John did not simply say, “[I am not worthy to untie] his sandals,” he said “the thong of his sandals,” the part counted the least of all.

St. John Chrysostom, Homily 11.5. Taken from Give Us This Day.

St. John Chrysostom (ca. 347–407) was one of the early Church Fathers. As a priest he gained a reputation for his eloquent preaching on Sacred Scripture—“Chrysostom” means “golden-mouth.” He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1568.