SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:9
y no pensis decir dentro de vosotros: a Abraham tenemos por padre; porque yo os digo, que puede Dios despertar hijos a Abraham aun de estas piedras.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. And think not to say within yourselves , etc.] John knew the sentiments of their minds, and the prevailing opinion they had given into, against which he cautions them; as, that because they were Abrahams seed, they were in a state of salvation, in the favour of God, and had a right to all privileges and ordinances: this they trusted in, and boasted of, and would often think of it within themselves, pleasing themselves with the thoughts of it, and speak of it to others; we have Abraham for our father . The Baptist was aware how ready they would be to object this to him; and therefore prevents their plea from hence in favour of their admission to baptism, by assuring them, that this would have no weight with him, nor give them any right to the ordinance he administered: hence it appears that it is not a persons being born of believing parents that can entitle him to water baptism; or be a reason why it ought to be administered to him: if nothing more than this can be said in his favour, it is a plain case from hence, he ought to be debarred from it. The reason John gives why such a plea as this would be insufficient is, for I say unto you ; I assure you of it; you may depend on it as a certain truth, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham . To raise up children is an Hebrew way of speaking, and the same with or [rz yqhl to raise up seed, or a name to another, ( Genesis 38:8 Deuteronomy 25:7 Ruth 4:10) and signifies to beget children for another, who are to be called by his name. Some by the stones understand the Gentiles, comparable to stones, both for the hardness of their hearts, and their idolatry in worshipping stocks and stones; of and among whom God was able to raise, and has raised up, a spiritual seed to Abraham; who are of the same faith with him, who walk in his steps, and whose father he is: but then it must be supposed, according to this sense, that there were some Gentiles present, since John calls them these stones, pointing to some persons or things, that were before him; wherefore I rather think that this phrase is to be taken literally, and that John pointed to some certain stones that were near him, within sight, and which lay upon the banks of Jordan, where he was baptizing; for what is it that the omnipotent God cannot do? He could as easily of stones make men, as make Adam out of the dust of the earth, and then make these men, in a spiritual sense, children of Abraham; that is, believers in Christ, and partakers of his grace; for if ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise, ( Galatians 3:29). So that God stood in no need of these persons, nor had they any reason to boast of their natural descent from Abraham; since this in spiritual matters, and in things relating to the Gospel dispensation, would stand them in no stead, or be of any advantage to them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-12 - To make application to the souls of the hearers, is the life of preaching; so it was of John's preaching. The Pharisees laid their chief stress on outward observances, neglecting the weightier matter of the moral law, and the spiritual meaning of their legal ceremonies Others of them were detestable hypocrites, making their pretences to holiness a cloak for iniquity. The Sadducees ran into the opposit extreme, denying the existence of spirits, and a future state. The were the scornful infidels of that time and country. There is a wrat to come. It is the great concern of every one to flee from that wrath God, who delights not in our ruin, has warned us; he warns by the written word, by ministers, by conscience. And those are not worthy of the name of penitents, or their privileges, who say they are sorry for their sins, yet persist in them. It becomes penitents to be humble an low in their own eyes, to be thankful for the least mercy, patien under the greatest affliction, to be watchful against all appearance of sin, to abound in every duty, and to be charitable in judgin others. Here is a word of caution, not to trust in outward privileges There is a great deal which carnal hearts are apt to say withi themselves, to put aside the convincing, commanding power of the wor of God. Multitudes, by resting in the honours and mere advantages of their being members of an outward church, come short of heaven. Here in a word of terror to the careless and secure. Our corrupt hearts cannot be made to produce good fruit, unless the regenerating Spirit of Chris graft the good word of God upon them. And every tree, however high i gifts and honours, however green in outward professions an performances, if it bring not forth good fruit, the fruits meet for repentance, is hewn down and cast into the fire of God's wrath, the fittest place for barren trees: what else are they good for? If not fi for fruit, they are fit for fuel. John shows the design and intentio of Christ's appearing, which they were now speedily to expect. N outward forms can make us clean. No ordinances, by whomsoeve administered, or after whatever mode, can supply the want of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and of fire. The purifying and cleansin power of the Holy Spirit alone can produce that purity of heart, an those holy affections, which accompany salvation. It is Christ wh baptizes with the Holy Ghost. This he did in the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit sent upon the apostles, Ac 2:4. This he does in the grace and comforts of the Spirit, given to those that ask him, Lu 11:13; Jo 7:38, 39; see Ac 11:16. Observe here, the outward church is Christ' floor, Isa 21:10. True believers are as wheat, substantial, useful, an valuable; hypocrites are as chaff, light and empty, useless an worthless, carried about with every wind; these are mixed, good an bad, in the same outward communion. There is a day coming when the wheat and chaff shall be separated. The last judgment will be the distinguishing day, when saints and sinners shall be parted for ever In heaven the saints are brought together, and no longer scattered they are safe, and no longer exposed; separated from corrupt neighbour without, and corrupt affections within, and there is no chaff amon them. Hell is the unquenchable fire, which will certainly be the portion and punishment of hypocrites and unbelievers. Here life an death, good and evil, are set before us: according as we now are in the field, we shall be then in the floor.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ μη 3361 PRT-N δοξητε 1380 5661 V-AAS-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
9. These stones. Pointing, as he spoke, to the pebbles on the beach of the Jordan.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
3:9 {And think not to say within yourselves} (kai me doxete legein en heautois). John touched the tender spot, their ecclesiastical pride. They felt that the "merits of the fathers," especially of Abraham, were enough for all Israelites. At once John made clear that, reformer as he was, a breach existed between him and the religious leaders of the time. {Of these stones} (ek twn liqwn toutwn). "Pointing, as he spoke to the pebbles on the beach of the Jordan" (Vincent).
