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.

Bring forth {G4160} therefore {G3767} fruits {G2590} worthy {G514} of repentance {G3341}, and {G2532} begin {G756} not {G3361} to say {G3004} within {G1722} yourselves {G1438}, We have {G2192} Abraham {G11} to our father {G3962}: for {G1063} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} God {G2316} is able {G1410} of {G1537} these {G5130} stones {G3037} to raise up {G1453} children {G5043} unto Abraham {G11}.

If you have really turned from your sins, produce fruit that will prove it! And don't start saying to yourselves, `Avraham is our father'! For I tell you that God can raise up for Avraham sons from these stones!

Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 3:8 KJV

Luke 3:8 presents a forceful declaration from John the Baptist to the crowds who came to be baptized. His message cuts straight to the heart of genuine faith and challenges superficial religious adherence, emphasizing that true spiritual transformation is evidenced by one's actions.

Context

This verse is part of John the Baptist's fiery preaching as he prepared the way for Jesus Christ. Many came to him for baptism, including Pharisees and Sadducees (as seen in the parallel account in Matthew 3:7). John recognized that some were seeking baptism out of mere custom or presumption, relying on their heritage rather than sincere change of heart. He warned them against a false sense of security based on their ancestry, particularly their descent from Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish nation. His call was for a radical internal change that would manifest outwardly.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Genuine Repentance: John demands visible evidence of a changed life. The phrase "bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance" (or "fruits meet for repentance") signifies that true turning from sin involves a transformation of behavior and character, not just a verbal confession or ritual. This idea of actions reflecting inward change is a consistent biblical theme, as seen in Acts 26:20.
  • Spiritual Lineage Over Physical: The presumption "We have Abraham to our father" highlights the Jewish belief that their physical descent from Abraham guaranteed them favor with God. John shatters this notion, asserting that God's plan extends beyond ethnic or familial ties. True children of Abraham are those who share his faith, not just his bloodline, a concept powerfully developed by Paul in Galatians 3:7 and Romans 2:29.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: The dramatic statement, "God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham," underscores God's absolute power and independence from human limitations or expectations. It signifies that God is not bound by human lineage or tradition to fulfill His purposes. He can create a people for Himself from the most unlikely sources, emphasizing that with God, all things are possible.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "fruits worthy of repentance" is καρποὺς ἀξίους τῆς μετανοίας (karpoús axíous tēs metanoías). The word metanoía (repentance) implies a fundamental change of mind, a turning around. The "fruits" (karpoús) are the natural and necessary outcome or evidence of this internal change. They are "worthy" (axíous) in the sense that they are appropriate and consistent with a truly repentant heart.

Practical Application

Luke 3:8 serves as a timeless challenge to all who claim faith. It warns against a superficial Christianity or reliance on heritage, family, or church affiliation for salvation. True faith is not passive; it is active and transformative. It calls us to:

  • Examine Our Lives: Do our actions, attitudes, and choices reflect a genuine turning from sin and towards God?
  • Avoid Presumption: Never assume God's favor based on past achievements, family history, or religious rituals without a living, active faith.
  • Embrace Humility: Recognize that God's grace is freely given and that He can work through anyone, regardless of their background, to accomplish His will. Our standing before God is based on His grace and our response of faith, not on our lineage or perceived merits.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 26:20

    But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

  • Ezekiel 18:27

    Again, when the wicked [man] turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

  • Ezekiel 18:31

    Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Galatians 5:24

    And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

  • Isaiah 1:16

    ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Isaiah 1:18

    Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
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