Shoelaces As Seen In The Bible

Some translations of the Bible actually mention “shoelaces” (or the equivalent). This page lists the various occurrences, then compares multiple translations of those verses to “home in” on the context and true meaning.

Biblical Research

In the process of researching shoelaces, I was fascinated to discover references to them in six different Bible verses. Does that mean that shoes with shoelaces existed in the times and places mentioned in the Bible?

In fact, the verses that I'd found containing “shoelaces” (or similar) came from different English Bible translations. Being neither a Biblical scholar nor an ancient language scholar, I couldn't really research the Bible in the original Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek in order to assess the accuracy of those translations.

The next best thing was to compare several different Bible translations on-line.

Bible Verses – Short List

For each of the six Bible verses, the following is a list of only those translations that include a close equivalent to “shoelaces” (or the equivalent). See below for a more comprehensive list of all translations.

Genesis 14:23

That I would not take a thread or a shoelace or anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich.
– Genesis 14:23, Amplified Bible

that I'll take nothing from you, not so much as a thread or a shoestring. I'm not going to have you go around saying, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, The Message

Isaiah 5:27

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the lace of their shoes be broken:
– Isaiah 5:27, American King James Version

There is no weariness among them, and no man is feeble-footed: they come without resting or sleeping, and the cord of their shoes is not broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, Bible in Basic English

Acts 13:25

When John was finishing his work, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not the one. But wait, someone else will come after me. I am not good enough to untie his shoe strings.”
– Acts 13:25, Worldwide English (New Testament)

Mark 1:7

And preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I after me, the lace of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, American King James Version

He told the people, “Another person is coming. He is greater than I am. I am not good enough to bend down and untie his shoe strings.”
– Mark 1:7, Worldwide English (New Testament)

Luke 3:16

John answered, saying to them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the lace of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
– Luke 3:16, American King James Version

John responded by saying to everyone: “Indeed, I baptize you with water. But there will arrive one stronger than me, the laces of whose shoes I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit, and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, catholicnewsagency.com

John said to them all, “I baptise you with water. But another person is coming. He is greater than I am. I am not good enough to untie his shoe strings. He will baptise you with the Holy spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, Worldwide English (New Testament)

John answered, and said [saying] to all men, [Soothly] I baptize you in water; but a stronger than I shall come after me, of whom I am not worthy to unbind the lace of his shoes [of whose I am not worthy to unbind the thong of his shoes]; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.
– Luke 3:16, Wycliffe New Testament

John 1:27

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's lace I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, American King James Version

He is the one coming after me who is greater than I am. I am not even good enough to untie his shoe strings.
– John 1:27, Worldwide English (New Testament)

Bible Verses – Comprehensive List

The following is a comprehensive list of up to thirty other Bible translations of the same six Bible verses listed above. Comparing these multiple translations helps to “home in” on the original context and meaning.

Genesis 14:23 (26 × translations, 2 × duplicates)

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from a thread even unto a shoe-latchet I take not of anything which thou hast, that thou say not, I -- I have made Abram rich;
– Genesis 14:23, Young's Literal Translation

I have said that I won't accept anything that belongs to you. I won't take even a thread or the strap of a sandal. You will never be able to say, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, New International Reader's Version

I promise that I will not keep anything that is yours. I will not keep even a thread or a sandal strap so that you cannot say, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, New Century Version

if from a thread even to a sandal-thong, yes, if of all that is thine, I take [anything] ...; that thou mayest not say, I have made Abram rich;
– Genesis 14:23, Darby Translation

That from the very woof thread unto the shoe latchet, I will not take of any things that are thine, lest thou say I have enriched Abram:
– Genesis 14:23, Douay-Rheims Bible

that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, New International Version (1984); New International Version – UK; Today's New International Version

that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, World English Bible

that I will not take a thread nor a shoelatchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
– Genesis 14:23, English Revised Version

that I will not take a thread nor a shoe-latchet nor aught that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
– Genesis 14:23, American Standard Version

that I will not take a thread or sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, Holman Christian Standard Bible

that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, “I have made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, New American Standard Bible (1995)

that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe strap, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, “I have made Abram rich”
– Genesis 14:23, 21st Century King James Version

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
– Genesis 14:23, King James Version

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich:
– Genesis 14:23, American King James Version

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
– Genesis 14:23, Webster's Bible Translation

that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, “I am the one who made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, New Living Translation (2007)

That I will not take so much as a thread or the cord of a shoe of yours; so that you may not say, I have given wealth to Abram:
– Genesis 14:23, Bible in Basic English

that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich”
– Genesis 14:23, New King James Version

that I won't keep anything of yours, not even a sandal strap or a piece of thread. Then you can never say that you are the one who made me rich.
– Genesis 14:23, Contemporary English Version

that I won't take a thread or a sandal strap. I won't take anything that is yours so that you will never be able to say, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, English Standard Version (2001)

That I would not take a thread or a shoelace or anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich.
– Genesis 14:23, Amplified Bible

that I'll take nothing from you, not so much as a thread or a shoestring. I'm not going to have you go around saying, “I made Abram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, The Message

that, from a thread to a sandal lace, no, I shall take nothing from anything that is yours, in order that you may not say, “It was I who made A'bram rich.”
– Genesis 14:23, New World Translation (1981)

Summary of Genesis 14:23 (26 × translations, 2 × duplicates)

8 × sandal strap / strap of ... sandal
7 × shoelatchet / shoe latchet / shoe-latchet
6 × sandal thong / sandal-thong / thong of a sandal
1 × sandal lace
1 × cord of ... shoe
1 × shoe strap
1 × shoelace
1 × shoestring

Isaiah 5:27 (25 × translations, 5 × duplicates)

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No one in it is weary or stumbles, None slumbers or sleeps; Nor is the belt at its waist undone, Nor its sandal strap broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, New American Standard Bible (1995)

No one will be weary or stumble among them, No one will slumber or sleep; Nor will the belt on their loins be loosed, Nor the strap of their sandals be broken;
– Isaiah 5:27, New King James Version

None among them is weary, none stumbleth; they slumber not, nor sleep; none hath the girdle of his loins loosed, nor the thong of his sandals broken;
– Isaiah 5:27, Darby Translation

None is weary or stumbles among them, none slumbers or sleeps; nor is the girdle of their loins loosed or the latchet (thong) of their shoes broken;
– Isaiah 5:27, Amplified Bible

None is weary, none stumbles, none slumbers or sleeps, not a waistband is loose, not a sandal strap broken;
– Isaiah 5:27, English Standard Version (2001)

None of them are tired. They don't sleep or get drowsy, and they run without stumbling. Their belts don't come loose; their sandal straps don't break.
– Isaiah 5:27, Contemporary English Version

None of them grow tired or stumble. None of them slumber or sleep. The belts on their waists aren't loose or their sandal straps broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

None of them grows tired. None of them falls down. None of them sleeps or even takes a nap. All of them are ready for battle. Every belt is pulled tight. Not a single sandal strap is broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, New International Reader's Version

None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose, and no sandal strap broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, Holman Christian Standard Bible

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the belt of their waist be untied, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
– Isaiah 5:27, World English Bible

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
– Isaiah 5:27, American Standard Version; English Revised Version; King James Version; Webster's Bible Translation

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken;
– Isaiah 5:27, 21st Century King James Version

Not one of them becomes tired or falls down. Not one of them gets sleepy and falls asleep. Their weapons are close at hand, and their sandal straps are not broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, New Century Version

Not one of them grows tired or stumbles, not one slumbers or sleeps; not a belt is loosened at the waist, not a sandal thong is broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, New International Version (1984); New International Version – UK; Today's New International Version

There is no one tired nor is anyone stumbling among them. No one is drowsy and no one sleeps. And the belt around their loins will certainly not be opened, nor the laces of their sandals be torn in two;
– Isaiah 5:27, New World Translation (1981)

There is no weariness among them, and no man is feeble-footed: they come without resting or sleeping, and the cord of their shoes is not broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, Bible in Basic English

There is none that shall faint, nor labour among them: they shall not slumber nor sleep, neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, Douay-Rheims Bible

There is none weary, nor stumbling in it, It doth not slumber, nor sleep, Nor opened hath been the girdle of its loins, Nor drawn away the latchet of its sandals.
– Isaiah 5:27, Young's Literal Translation

They will not get tired or stumble. They will not stop for rest or sleep. Not a belt will be loose, not a sandal strap broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, New Living Translation (2007)

Summary of Isaiah 5:27 (25 × translations, 5 × duplicates)

9 × sandal strap(s) / strap of ... sandals
8 × latchet of ... shoes
4 × sandal thong / thong of ... sandals
1 × latchet of ... sandals
1 × laces of ... sandals
1 × lace of ... shoes
1 × cord of ... shoes

Acts 13:25 (29 × translations)

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And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
– Acts 13:25, Webster's Bible Translation

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
– Acts 13:25, King James Version

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
– Acts 13:25, American King James Version

And as John was ending his course, he asked, What or who do you secretly think that I am? I am not He [the Christ. No], but note that after me One is coming, the sandals of Whose feet I am not worthy to untie!
– Acts 13:25, Amplified Bible

And as John was finishing his course, he said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.”
– Acts 13:25, English Standard Version (2001)

And as John was finishing his course, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.”
– Acts 13:25, New King James Version

And as John was fulfilling his course he said, Whom do ye suppose that I am? *I* am not [he]. But behold, there comes one after me, the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.
– Acts 13:25, Darby Translation

And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, “Whom think ye that I am? I am not He. But behold, there cometh One after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.”
– Acts 13:25, 21st Century King James Version

And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.
– Acts 13:25, American Standard Version

And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me, the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.
– Acts 13:25, English Revised Version

and as John was fulfilling the course, he said, Whom me do ye suppose to be? I am not [he], but, lo, he doth come after me, of whom I am not worthy to loose the sandal of [his] feet.
– Acts 13:25, Young's Literal Translation

And when John was completing his work, he said, What do I seem to you to be? I am not he; but one is coming after me, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo.
– Acts 13:25, Bible in Basic English

And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he, whom you think me to be: but behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
– Acts 13:25, Douay-Rheims Bible

And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.”
– Acts 13:25, New American Standard Bible (1995)

As John was completing his work, he said: “Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is someone coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
– Acts 13:25, Today's New International Version

As John was completing his work, he said: “Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
– Acts 13:25, New International Version (1984); New International Version – UK

As John was finishing his ministry he asked, “Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon--and I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.”
– Acts 13:25, New Living Translation (2007)

As John was fulfilling his course, he said, “What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.”
– Acts 13:25, World English Bible

But as John was fulfilling his course, he would say, “What do YOU suppose I am? I am not he. But, look! one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.”
– Acts 13:25, New World Translation (1981)

But John, towards the end of his career, repeatedly asked the people, “What do you suppose me to be? I am not the Christ. But there is One coming after me whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.”
– Acts 13:25, Weymouth New Testament

But when John filled his course, he said, I am not he, whom ye deem me to be; but lo! he cometh after me, and I am not worthy to do off the shoes of his feet.
– Acts 13:25, Wycliffe New Testament

John was coming to the end of his work. “Who do you think I am?” he said. “I am not the one you are looking for. No, he is coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”
– Acts 13:25, New International Reader's Version

No one in it is weary or stumbles, None slumbers or sleeps; Nor is the belt at its waist undone, Nor its sandal strap broken.
– Isaiah 5:27, New American Standard Bible (1995)

Then as John was completing his life work, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not the One. But look! Someone is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on His feet.”
– Acts 13:25, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Then, when John's work was almost done, he said, “Who do you people think I am? Do you think I am the Promised One? He will come later, and I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”
– Acts 13:25, Contemporary English Version

When he was finishing his work, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not the Christ. He is coming later, and I am not worthy to untie his sandals.”
– Acts 13:25, New Century Version

When John was finishing his work, he said, “Who do you think I am? I am not the Messiah. No, but he is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on his feet.”
– Acts 13:25, International Standard Version (2008)

When John was finishing his work, he said, “Who do you think I am? I'm not the person you're looking for. He will come later. I'm not even good enough to untie his sandals.”
– Acts 13:25, GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

Summary of Acts 13:25 (29 × translations)

19 × sandal / sandals
9 × shoes
1 × shoe strings

Mark 1:7 (28 × translations, 1 × duplicate)

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And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”
– Mark 1:7, English Standard Version (2001)

And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.”
– Mark 1:7, New King James Version

And he preached, saying, “There cometh after me One mightier than I, the strap of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.”
– Mark 1:7, 21st Century King James Version

And he preached, saying, After me comes He Who is stronger (more powerful and more valiant) than I, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, Amplified Bible

And he preached, saying, There comes he that is mightier than I after me, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, Darby Translation

And he preached, saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, American Standard Version; English Revised Version

And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
– Mark 1:7, Douay-Rheims Bible

and he proclaimed, saying, “He doth come -- who is mightier than I -- after me, of whom I am not worthy -- having stooped down -- to loose the latchet of his sandals;”
– Mark 1:7, Young's Literal Translation

And he said to them all, There is one coming after me who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo.
– Mark 1:7, Bible in Basic English

And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, New American Standard Bible (1995)

And he would preach, saying: “After me someone stronger than I am is coming; I am not fit to stoop and untie the laces of his sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, New World Translation (1981)

and preached, and said [saying], A stronger than I shall come after me, and I am not worthy to kneel down, and unloose [the thong of] his shoes.
– Mark 1:7, Wycliffe New Testament

And preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I after me, the lace of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, American King James Version

And preached, saying, There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, Webster's Bible Translation

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
– Mark 1:7, King James Version

And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”
– Mark 1:7, Today's New International Version

And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”
– Mark 1:7, New International Version (1984)

And this was his message: After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
– Mark 1:7, New International Version – UK

He announced, “The one who comes after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps.”
– Mark 1:7, GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

He preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen.”
– Mark 1:7, World English Bible

He told the people, “Another person is coming. He is greater than I am. I am not good enough to bend down and untie his shoe strings.”
– Mark 1:7, Worldwide English (New Testament)

He was preaching: “Someone more powerful than I will come after me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of His sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, Holman Christian Standard Bible

Here is what John was preaching. “After me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. I'm not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, New International Reader's Version

His announcement was, “There is One coming after me mightier than I--One whose sandal-strap I am unworthy to stoop down and unfasten.”
– Mark 1:7, Weymouth New Testament

John also told the people, “Someone more powerful is going to come. And I am not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, Contemporary English Version

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, New Living Translation (2007)

This is what John preached to the people: “There is one coming after me who is greater than I; I am not good enough even to kneel down and untie his sandals.”
– Mark 1:7, New Century Version

Summary of Mark 1:7 (28 × translations, 1 × duplicate)

7 × sandal strap(s) / sandal-strap / strap(s) of ... sandals
6 × thong(s) of ... sandals
5 × latchet of ... shoes
3 × sandals
1 × latchet of ... sandals
1 × laces of ... sandals
1 × shoes
1 × thong of ... shoes
1 × strap of ... shoes
1 × lace of ... shoes
1 × shoe strings

Luke 3:16 (30 × translations)

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he answered the question by saying to them all, “As for me, I am baptizing you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose very sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten: He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, Weymouth New Testament

John answered all, saying, *I* indeed baptise you with water, but the mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not fit to unloose; *he* shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;
– Luke 3:16, Darby Translation

John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New American Standard Bible (1995)

John answered everyone, “I baptize you with water, but there is one coming who is greater than I am. I am not good enough to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New Century Version

John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New Living Translation (2007)

John answered them all by saying, I baptize you with water; but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of Whose sandals I am not fit to unfasten. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
– Luke 3:16, Amplified Bible

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, Holman Christian Standard Bible

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New International Version (1984)

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I am will come. I'm not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New International Reader's Version

John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, Today's New International Version

John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,”
– Luke 3:16, World English Bible

John answered them all, I baptise you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
– Luke 3:16, New International Version – UK

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, English Standard Version (2001)

John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New King James Version

John answered, saying to all, “I indeed with water do baptise you, but he cometh who is mightier than I, of whom I am not worthy to loose the latchet of his sandals -- he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire;”
– Luke 3:16, Young's Literal Translation

John answered, saying to 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 will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
– Luke 3:16, Webster's Bible Translation

John answered, saying unto all: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier that I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
– Luke 3:16, Douay-Rheims Bible

John answered, saying unto them all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the straps of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, 21st Century King James Version

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, King James Version

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
– Luke 3:16, American Standard Version

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, 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, English Revised Version

John gave the answer, saying to all: “I, for my part, baptize YOU with water; but the one stronger than I am is coming, the lace of whose sandals I am not fit to untie. He will baptize YOU people with holy spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, New World Translation (1981)

John made answer, saying to them all, Truly, I give you baptism with water, but one is coming who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo: he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit, and with fire:
– Luke 3:16, Bible in Basic English

John replied to all of them, “I am baptizing you with water, but one is coming who is more powerful than I, and I'm not worthy to untie his sandal straps. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, International Standard Version (2008)

John replied to all of them, “I baptize you with water. But the one who is more powerful than I is coming. I am not worthy to untie his sandal straps. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
– Luke 3:16, GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

John said, “I am just baptizing with water. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
– Luke 3:16, Contemporary English Version

Summary of Luke 3:16 (30 × translations)

9 × sandal strap(s) / sandal-strap / strap(s) of ... sandals
5 × latchet of ... shoes
5 × thong(s) of ... sandals
3 × lace(s) of ... shoes
2 × sandals
2 × latchet of ... sandals
1 × lace of ... sandals
1 × shoes
1 × thong of ... shoes
1 × straps of ... shoes
1 × shoe strings

John 1:27 (29 × translations, 3 × duplicates)

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even he that cometh after me, the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, American Standard Version; English Revised Version

even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.
– John 1:27, English Standard Version (2001)

Even though I came first, I am not good enough to untie his sandals.
– John 1:27, Contemporary English Version

He is the one coming after me who is greater than I am. I am not even good enough to untie his shoe strings.
– John 1:27, Worldwide English (New Testament)

He is the One coming after me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to untie.
– John 1:27, Holman Christian Standard Bible)

He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.
– John 1:27, New International Version (1984); New International Version – UK; Today's New International Version

He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen.
– John 1:27, World English Bible

He is the One who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.
– John 1:27, New International Reader's Version

He is the One who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie the strings of his sandals.
– John 1:27, New Century Version

He it is who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe's strap I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, 21st Century King James Version

he it is, that shall come after me [he it is, that is to coming after me], that was made before me, of whom I am not worthy to loose the thong of his shoe.
– John 1:27, Wycliffe New Testament

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's lace I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, American King James Version

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, King James Version

He it is, who coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoes' latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, Webster's Bible Translation

he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, Darby Translation

He who is to come after me, and whose sandal-strap I am not worthy to unfasten.
– John 1:27, Weymouth New Testament

He's the one who comes after me. I am not worthy to untie his sandal strap.
– John 1:27, GOD'S WORD Translation (1995)

It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.
– John 1:27, New American Standard Bible (1995)

It is he who is coming after me; I am not good enough to undo his shoes.
– John 1:27, Bible in Basic English

It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose.
– John 1:27, Amplified Bible

It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.
– John 1:27, New King James Version

of whom I am not worthy that I may loose the cord of his sandal.
– John 1:27, Young's Literal Translation

the one coming behind me, but the lace of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
– John 1:27, New World Translation (1981)

the one who is coming after me, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to untie.
– John 1:27, International Standard Version (2008)

The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose.
– John 1:27, Douay-Rheims Bible

Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.
– John 1:27, New Living Translation (2007)

Summary of John 1:27 (29 × translations, 3 × duplicates)

8 × sandal strap(s) / sandal-strap / strap(s) of ... sandal
5 × latchet of ... shoe / shoe's latchet / shoes' latchet
5 × thong(s) of ... sandal(s)
2 × string(s) of ... sandal(s)
2 × sandals
1 × cord of ... sandal
1 × lace of ... sandal
1 × shoes
1 × thong of ... shoe
1 × shoe's strap
1 × shoe's lace
1 × shoe strings

Summary of Words / Phrases Used

Finally, a summary of all six of the above summaries, showing all of the words / phrases used to refer to “shoelaces” (or the equivalent).

41 × sandal strap(s) / sandal-strap / strap(s) of ... sandal(s)
30 × shoelatchet / shoe-latchet / shoe latchet / shoe's latchet / shoes' latchet / latchet of ... shoe(s)
26 × sandal(s)
26 × sandal thong / sandal-thong / thong(s) of ... sandal(s)
12 × shoes
7 × shoelace / shoe's lace / lace(s) of ... shoes
5 × shoestring / shoe strings
5 × sandal lace / lace(s) of ... sandals
4 × latchet of ... sandals
4 × shoe strap / shoe's strap / strap(s) of ... shoes
3 × thong of ... shoe(s)
2 × cord of ... shoe(s)
2 × string(s) of ... sandal(s)
1 × cord of ... sandal

Conclusion

It seems pretty conclusive that all the references to “shoelaces” (or the equivalent) in the Bible actually refer to “sandal straps” or “thongs”. This better describes the lacing of typical footwear worn during biblical times (eg. leather sandals).

The translations that do use the more recent terms “shoelaces”, “shoe strings” or “laces of ... shoes” are simply using contemporary language for a modern audience.

The various “shoelaces” references can be further summed into three categories:

Something of as little worth as a shoelace;
Not even a broken shoelace among them;
Someone not worthy to untie His shoelace.

In fact, all three basically convey the concept of something worthless, something trivial, the most lowly item. Alas, this is still how many people view shoelaces today – despite them having proven their worth over more than 2,000 years!