Luke 3:8-9 NKJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 3:9

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire . This intensifies the statement respecting the power of God to raise up, out of the very river shingle at their feet, children who should inherit the glorious promises made to Abraham. Nay, more, the Divine Woodman had already laid the axe at the root of the tree of Israel; its hours, as the peculiar people, were indeed numbered. Let these ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 3:3-9

On the baptism of John - see the notes at Matthew 3:0. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 3:7-9

Luke 3:7-9. Then said he to the multitude, O generation of vipers See note on Matthew 3:7. Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy of repentance The Baptist did not stop at preaching repentance, and rest satisfied with the people’s making a profession thereof, but he insisted on the necessity of their bringing forth fruits suitable to such a profession, or a thorough reformation of their conduct in all respects. See this explained particularly in the notes on Matthew 3:8-10. Begin not to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 3:1-17

15. Preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-17; John 1:19-28)The preaching of John soon attracted opposition from the Jewish religious leaders. They sent representatives to question him and then report back on what he taught and who he claimed to be. John denied that he was promoting himself as some new leader in Israel. He did not consider himself to be either the prophet of Deuteronomy 18:15,Deuteronomy 18:18 or the ‘Elijah’ promised in Malachi 4:5. He was only a... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 3:8

repentance = the repentance which has been demanded, and which you profess. not . Greek. me. App-105 . Not the same word as in Luke 3:16 . within = among. Greek. en. App-104 . father . Emphatic, by the Figure of speech Hyperbaton ( App-6 ), being put in the Greek as the first word of the sentence. See John 8:33 , John 8:53 . of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 3:7 . these stones . Compare Luke 19:40 ; Matthew 3:9 . children. App-108 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 3:9

now also the axe is laid = already even the axe lies; or, and even the axe lies. Referring to national privileges. unto. Greek. pros. App-104 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:8

Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.The usual response to any demand that the Israelites of that day should repent was to the effect that they did not need to repent, since they were sons of Abraham. The fact that all the promises were not to Abraham's fleshly descendants, but to his spiritual seed (the people who were of the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 3:9

And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.Axe ... at the root ... This was a prophetic vision of the destruction of the Holy City which would ensue as a result of the rejection of Christ by Israel. The metaphor is that of a farmer who chops down an unfruitful tree and burns it. Too long Israel had been barren, as far as any fruits of righteousness were concerned; and her day of grace at the time John... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 3:1-13

III. THE PREPARATION FOR JESUS’ MINISTRY 3:1-4:13Luke next narrated events that paved the way for Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee and Judea. read more