John describes himself as a herald, who announces the arrival of someone else, the Mightier One. Compared to him, John is no more than a slave. That Jesus is above John is also apparent from their way of baptizing: John baptizes with water (washing clean, washing away of sins), while Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit (giving a new life, in agreement with the holy God).
7 Il prêchait, disant: Il vient après moi celui qui est plus puissant que moi, et je ne suis pas digne de délier, en me baissant, la courroie de ses souliers.