Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary-9 Verse 7-9. On this account of the Baptist's mode of preaching, see the notes on Matt. iii. 7-11.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance , etc.] Or meet for it, such as will show it to be true and genuine: and begin not to say within yourselves: in one of Beza's copies, and in another of Stephens's, it was read, think not, as in ( Matthew 3:9). the sense is the same. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, leave out the phrase, within yourselves: what they are forbid to say follows, we have Abraham to our father, for I say unto you, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham ; which need not be thought strange, when the creation of Adam out of the earth, and the production of such a numerous offspring, as the Israelites were, from Abraham and Sarah, when past all hope of children, and are signified by the rock and pit in ( Isaiah 51:1,2) are considered; (See Gill on Matthew 3:9).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-14 - The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to their Saviour. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession; the sign or ceremony was washing with water By the words here used John preached the necessity of repentance, i order to the remission of sins, and that the baptism of water was a outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart, whic attend, or are the effects of true repentance, as well as a professio of it. Here is the fulfilling of the Scriptures, Isa 40:3, in the ministry of John. When way is made for the gospel into the heart, by taking down high thoughts, and bringing them into obedience to Christ by levelling the soul, and removing all that hinders us in the way of Christ and his grace, then preparation is made to welcome the salvatio of God. Here are general warnings and exhortations which John gave. The guilty, corrupted race of mankind is become a generation of vipers hateful to God, and hating one another. There is no way of fleeing from the wrath to come, but by repentance; and by the change of our way the change of our mind must be shown. If we are not really holy, both i heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church, will stand us in no stead at all; the sorer will ou destruction be, if we do not bring forth fruits meet for repentance John the Baptist gave instructions to several sorts of persons. Thos that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation according to their places and conditions. The gospel requires mercy not sacrifice; and its design is, to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. And the same principle which leads me to forego unjust gain, leads to restore that which is gained by wrong John tells the soldiers their duty. Men should be cautioned against the temptations of their employments. These answers declared the presen duty of the inquirers, and at once formed a test of their sincerity. A none can or will accept Christ's salvation without true repentance, s the evidence and effects of this repentance are here marked out.
Greek Textus Receptus
ποιησατε 4160 5657 V-AAM-2P ουν 3767 CONJ καρπους 2590 N-APM αξιους 514 A-APM της 3588 T-GSF μετανοιας 3341 N-GSF και 2532 CONJ μη 3361 PRT-N αρξησθε 756 5672 V-AMS-2P λεγειν 3004 5721 V-PAN εν 1722 PREP εαυτοις 1438 F-3DPM πατερα 3962 N-ASM εχομεν 2192 5719 V-PAI-1P τον 3588 T-ASM αβρααμ 11 N-PRI λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S γαρ 1063 CONJ υμιν 5213 P-2DP οτι 3754 CONJ δυναται 1410 5736 V-PNI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM θεος 2316 N-NSM εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM λιθων 3037 N-GPM τουτων 5130 D-GPM εγειραι 1453 5658 V-AAN τεκνα 5043 N-APN τω 3588 T-DSM αβρααμ 11 N-PRI
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. Fruits (karpouv). Matthew has the singular number, karpon, friut. Repentance (thv metanoiav). Note the article: the repentance which you profess in coming to my baptism. Rev., in margin, "your repentance." See on Matt. iii. 2.Begin. With the first accusing of your conscience. "He anticipates even attempt at excuse" (Bengel). Matthew has think not, indicating a delusive fancy.
Father. The word stands first in the sentence, "We have Abraham to our father," and is therefore emphatic, and with reason; for it was on their descent that the answer of these Jews to John's rebuke turned: "Our father is Abraham.
These stones. See on Matt. iii. 9.
