Matthew 3:10

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

And {G1161} now {G2235} also {G2532} the axe {G513} is laid {G2749} unto {G4314} the root {G4491} of the trees {G1186}: therefore {G3767} every {G3956} tree {G1186} which bringeth {G4160} not {G3361} forth {G4160} good {G2570} fruit {G2590} is hewn down {G1581}, and {G2532} cast {G906} into {G1519} the fire {G4442}.

Already the axe is at the root of the trees, ready to strike; every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown in the fire!

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Commentary

Matthew 3:10 presents a powerful and stark warning from John the Baptist, delivered to the religious leaders of his day. This verse uses vivid agricultural imagery to convey the urgency and nature of divine judgment.

Context

This declaration is part of John the Baptist's fiery preaching in the wilderness of Judea, where he called people to repentance and readiness for the Kingdom of Heaven. He had just confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism, challenging their assumption that their lineage as "children of Abraham" would exempt them from God's wrath (Matthew 3:7-9). Verse 10 underscores that mere religious affiliation or ancestry is insufficient; what truly matters is genuine spiritual transformation evidenced by one's actions.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Judgment: The phrase "the axe is laid unto the root of the trees" signifies that judgment is not a distant threat but is immediate and decisive. It implies a final reckoning, not just a pruning or minor adjustment.
  • Fruitfulness as Evidence: The core message is that spiritual authenticity is demonstrated by "good fruit." This isn't about outward show or lineage, but about a life transformed by true repentance, producing actions and character consistent with God's will.
  • Divine Consequences: Trees "which bringeth not forth good fruit" face severe consequences: "hewn down, and cast into the fire." This powerful imagery speaks of utter destruction and condemnation for those who fail to live out their faith genuinely.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of the "axe" at the "root" is crucial. In ancient agriculture, an axe laid at the root was not for pruning, but for felling the tree entirely. This emphasizes the radical nature of the impending divine judgment. The "good fruit" (Greek: karpon agathon) refers to moral and spiritual virtues and actions that are evidence of a changed heart, contrasting with a superficial or hypocritical religiosity. The "fire" (Greek: pyr) is a common biblical metaphor for purification, testing, and ultimate destruction or eternal judgment, as also seen in Matthew 3:12.

Practical Application

Matthew 3:10 serves as a timeless call for self-examination and authentic faith. It challenges believers across generations to consider whether their lives are truly bearing "good fruit" – evidence of genuine repentance and a transformed heart. This means living out love, justice, mercy, and righteousness, rather than relying on religious titles, traditions, or outward appearances. It is a reminder that God looks beyond external profession to the inner reality of our lives, expecting spiritual productivity that aligns with His Kingdom principles. Just as Jesus later taught, a tree is known by the fruit it produces.

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Cross-References

  • John 15:6 (23 votes)

    If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

  • Luke 3:9 (19 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 7:19 (16 votes)

    Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • John 15:2 (14 votes)

    Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

  • Luke 13:6 (12 votes)

    ¶ He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.

  • Luke 13:9 (12 votes)

    And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down.

  • Jeremiah 17:8 (10 votes)

    For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.