Luke records John saying that he is not worthy to loose the latch of teh shoe of the One who baptizes with the Spirit (3:15). In relation to Jesus, John is the lowliest of servants.
But John may also intend something else. When Yahweh hoists the standard and hisses for the invading goy (Isaiah 5:27), they’re going to come swiftly. They won’t be weary, they won’t stumble; they won’t sleep and they are all going to be girt for battle. The army is going to be relentless, tireless, fearless, and swift. And none of them, Isaiah says, will have the latch of his shoe loose.
The LXX of Isaiah 5:27 matches Luke 3:15 closely. Isaiah says, me hragosin hoi himantes ton hupodematon auton ; John in Luke says ouk eimi ikanos lusai ton himanta ton hupodematon autou . John has been warning that the king is coming, and that the axe is already laid at the door of the tree. The One who is coming to bring this burning judgment will not stop to stoop to latch up his sandals. If there’s a goy rushing at first-century Palestine, Jesus looks to be at the head of the pack, shoes latched up and belt fastened, ready with his arrows.
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