¹⁵ Since the people were ·hoping [waiting expectantly] for the ·Christ [Messiah] to come, they [^Lall] wondered if John might be the ·one [^LChrist; Messiah].

¹⁶ John answered everyone, “I baptize you with water, but there is one coming who is ·greater [more powerful; mightier] than I am. I am not ·good enough [fit; qualified] to untie [^Lthe thong/strap of] his sandals [^Ca task of a servant or slave]. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ ·He will come ready [^LThe winnowing fork is in his hand] to ·clean the grain, separating the good grain from the chaff [^Lclear his threshing floor]. He will put ·the good part of the grain [^Lthe grain/wheat] into his ·barn [storehouse], but he will burn the chaff with ·a fire that cannot be put out [never-ending/unquenchable fire; ^Ca metaphor for judgment, when Jesus will separate the righteous from the wicked].”

Jesus Is Baptized by John^(A)

²¹ When all the people were being baptized by John, Jesus also was baptized. [^LAnd] While Jesus was praying, heaven opened ²² and the Holy Spirit came down on him in ·the form of [^Lbodily appearance like] a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “You are my ·Son, whom I love [dearly beloved Son; Gen. 22:2; Ps. 2:7], ·and I am very pleased with you [in whom I take great delight [Is. 42:1].”