The Greek may be rendered “had a mind to prevent him,” “would have prevented him,” “tried to prevent him.” Though Jesus and John were related by blood, they had had no direct acquaintance (DA 109; cf. John 1:31-33). John had heard of the events connected with the birth and childhood of Jesus, and believed Him to be the Messiah (DA 109). Also, it had been revealed to John that the Messiah would seek baptism at his hands, and that a sign would then be given identifying Him as the Messiah (DA 110; cf. John 1:31-33).

 Face to face with the One mightier than he was (v. 11), John, possessing a spirit of humility and sensing his own unworthiness, shrank from administering the “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mark 1:4) to One who was without sin (see John 8:46; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22). It seemed to him inappropriate that he should baptize Jesus. Doubtless John did not fully grasp the fact that Jesus was to set a pattern for every sinner saved by grace.

 John was impressed with the perfection of the character of the One standing before him and with his own need as a sinner (DA 110, 111; cf. Isa. 6:5; Luke 5:8). Thus it is ever when a sinner enters the divine presence; there comes first a consciousness of the majesty and perfection of God, and then a conviction of one’s own unworthiness and need of God’s saving power. When the sinner realizes and acknowledges his lost condition, his heart becomes contrite and ready for the transforming work of the Holy Spirit (see Ps. 34:18; 51:10, 11, 17; Isa. 57:15; 66:2). Where there is not first a sense of one’s need of the Saviour, there is no desire for the gracious gift God has to offer the repentant sinner. Consequently there is nothing Heaven can do for him. See on Isa. 6:5.