Mat 3:8-9 | RWP | e4.org | Fruit worthy of repentance ( Καρπον αξιον της μετανοιας ). John demands proof from these men of the new life before he administers baptism to them. "The fruit is not the change of heart, but the acts which result from it" (McNeile). It was a bold deed for John thus to challenge as unworthy the very ones who posed as lights and leaders of the Jewish people. "Any one can do ( ποιησατε, ςιδε ) acts externally good but only a good man can grow a crop of right acts and habits" (Bruce).

‏ Matthew 3:8-9

Fruit worthy of repentance ( Καρπον αξιον της μετανοιας ). John demands proof from these men of the new life before he administers baptism to them. "The fruit is not the change of heart, but the acts which result from it" (McNeile). It was a bold deed for John thus to challenge as unworthy the very ones who posed as lights and leaders of the Jewish people. "Any one can do ( ποιησατε, ςιδε Ge 1:11) acts externally good but only a good man can grow a crop of right acts and habits" (Bruce).

And think not to say within yourselves ( κα μη δοξητε λεγειν εν εαυτοις ). 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 ( εκ των λιθων τουτων ). "Pointing, as he spoke to the pebbles on the beach of the Jordan" (Vincent).