“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16) I have heard several explanations of what John means regarding loosing someone’s shoe.…
John prepared the way for the Lord, not by changing the hearts of men for that lies only in the power of God. John prepared the way by showing clearly what the Old Testament taught about the coming Messiah.
How could a poor boy from Nazareth know enough about the law to be able to ask questions deep enough for the council to take notice?