How did john compare himself to the one who will come after you?

John the Baptist compared himself to Jesus by emphasizing his role as a forerunner, stating that he was not worthy to untie the sandals of the one who would come after him. He highlighted the superiority of Jesus in terms of divine authority and the spiritual baptism He would provide, contrasting his own baptism with water to the transformative baptism with the Holy Spirit that Jesus would bring. This comparison underscored John's humility and recognition of Jesus's greater mission and identity as the Messiah.