Matthew 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

The forerunner. I. JOHN 'S APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER . He claimed to belong to the old prophetic line by appearing clad in the prophetic garb, the single rough garment of skin. His manner of life harmonized with his dress; leaving the comfortable home and well-provided life and fair prospects of a priestly family, he adopted the meagre, comfortless life of an ascetic. To entangle himself with the world would have tended to blind him to its vices and silence his remonstrance. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-15

The appearance of John the Baptist. The interval between the last verse of the second chapter and the first verse of this chapter measures the period of the life of Christ stretching from his earliest childhood to his entrance on his public ministry, or close thereupon. Meantime we are here brought to the time when appeared one of the most distinctly marked, most honoured, characters of all history. John the baptist, son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, was the child of prophecy. He was one of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:5-12

Religious revival. When the Baptist opened his commission the Jewish nation was in a woeful state of degeneracy. In connection with his ministry there was a remarkable revival of religion. This may be viewed as a specimen of revivals of religion in general. I. IT WAS A SEASON OF FAITHFUL PREACHING . 1 . Christ was prominent in the sermon. 2 . It insisted upon essential things. "Heart's sorrow, And a clear life ensuing." Those are not true penitents who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:7-12

The faithful warning. (Parallel passage: Luke 3:7-9 , Luke 3:16 , Luke 3:17 .) Observe that this is before the baptism of our Lord, while the witness in John 1:19-27 is after. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:9

And . An additional warning against any false feeling of security based on natural privileges. As this feeling was common to all Jews, the reference to the larger audience ( Matthew 3:7 , note) was probably begun here. Think not to say . Not do not think, consider, with a view to saying; but do not think it right to say, do not be of opinion you may say ( Luke 3:8 , "Begin not to say ). St. Luke deprecates the commencement of such an utterance in their heart; S t. Matthew denies... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:9

The subtlety of self-deceptions. The Jews always were, and still are, remarkable for their pride of race; for their confidence of acceptance with God on the simple ground of their Abrahamic relations. And there was a certain amount of reasonable ground for such pride. The Abrahamic was a privileged race; it did stand in a special covenant with God. But, in a subtle way, this merely outward relationship had come to be used as an excuse for neglecting personal piety. Their relation to God was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:9-10

The axe at the root. Here we have an insight into the method of John the Baptist. We see how he led his hearers to repentance. He found them too often soothing their consciences in a false security, and quite blind to the danger that threatened them. So he set to work first to destroy the false security and then to reveal the imminent danger. I. A GREAT DELUSION . ( Matthew 3:9 .) 1 . Its excuse . The Jews prided themselves in their pedigree. They were Abraham's children, and... read more

Albert Barnes

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

And think not to say ... - They regarded it as sufficient righteousness that they were descended from so holy a man as Abraham. Compare John 8:33-37, John 8:53. John assured them that this was a matter of small consequence in the sight of God. Of the very stones of the Jordan he could raise up children to Abraham. The meaning seems to be this: God, from these stones, could more easily raise up those who should be worthy children of Abraham, or be like him, than simply, because you are... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Matthew 3:9. And think not to say Or, as the words, μη δοξητε λεγειν , rather signify, Presume not to say, or, Say not confidently, within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father As if he had said, Being called upon to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, begin not to obstruct the efficacy of the admonition with those thoughts which are so common among you, that you are secure from wrath by being the children of Abraham. It is almost incredible how great the presumption of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:1-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:5-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:7-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 3:9-10

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

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 3:1-12

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