{He that is mightier than I} (ho ischuroteros mou). Like
 Mr 1:7 , "the one mightier than I." Ablative case (mou) of
comparison. John would not turn aside for the flattery of the
crowd. He was able to take his own measure in comparison with the
Messiah and was loyal to him (see my _John the Loyal_). Compare
 Lu 3:16  with  Mr 1:7f.  and  Mt 3:11f.  for discussion of
details. Luke has "fire" here after "baptize with the Holy Ghost"
as  Mt 3:11 , which see. This bold Messianic picture in the
Synoptic Gospels shows that John saw the Messiah's coming as a
judgment upon the world like fire and the fan of the
thrashing-floor, and with unquenchable fire for the chaff ( Lu
3:17  Mt 3:12 ). But he had the spiritual conception also, the
baptism in the Holy Spirit which will characterize the Messiah's
Mission and so will far transcend the water baptism which marked
the ministry of John.