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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 3:9 And do not presume 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/40_Mat_03_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 3:9 - The Mission of John the Baptist" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And do not presume 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/3-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/3-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/3-8.htm" title="Matthew 3:8">◄</a> Matthew 3:9 <a href="/matthew/3-10.htm" title="Matthew 3:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/3.htm">New International Version</a> And do not think you can say to yourselves, &#8216We have Abraham as our father.&#8217 I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/nlt/matthew/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. <a href="/esv/matthew/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And do not presume 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. <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And do not presume to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham as father.' For I say to you that out of these stones God is able to raise up children unto Abraham. <a href="/kjv/matthew/3.htm">King James Bible</a> And think 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/3.htm">New King James Version</a> and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham. <a href="/nasb/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, &#8216We have Abraham for our father’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/lsb/matthew/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/amp/matthew/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. <a href="/csb/matthew/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And don&#8217t presume to say to yourselves, &#8216We have Abraham as our father.&#8217 For I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! <a href="/asv/matthew/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> and think 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. <a href="/cev/matthew/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> And don't start telling yourselves that you belong to Abraham's family. I tell you that God can turn these stones into children for Abraham. <a href="/erv/matthew/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> and think 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. <a href="/gwt/matthew/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't think you can say, 'Abraham is our ancestor.' I can guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. <a href="/gnt/matthew/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> And don't think you can escape punishment by saying that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham! <a href="/isv/matthew/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have father Abraham!' because I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones! <a href="/msb/matthew/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And do not presume 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. <a href="/net/matthew/3.htm">NET Bible</a> and don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones! <a href="/nheb/matthew/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and do not think to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. <a href="/wbt/matthew/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. <a href="/web/matthew/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and do not think to say in yourselves, We have a father—Abraham, for I say to you that God is able to raise children to Abraham out of these stones, <a href="/blb/matthew/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And do not presume to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham as father.' For I say to you that out of these stones God is able to raise up children unto Abraham. <a href="/ylt/matthew/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and do not think to say in yourselves, A father we have -- Abraham, for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham, <a href="/slt/matthew/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And think not to say in yourselves we have Abraham a father; for I say to you, that God can of these stones raise up children to Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And do not choose to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God has the power to raise up sons to Abraham from these stones. <a href="/nabre/matthew/3.htm">New American Bible</a> And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And do not think and say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father; for I say to you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “And do not think and say in yourselves, 'Abraham is our father', for I say to you, God can raise up from these stones children to Abraham.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and think not to say within yourselves, "We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/godbey/matthew/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and think not to say among yourselves; We have Abraham, our father; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. <a href="/haweis/matthew/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and think not to say in yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say unto you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/mace/matthew/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and don't pretend to say within your selves, We have Abraham for our father: for I tell you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham: <a href="/wey/matthew/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones. <a href="/worrell/matthew/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and think not to say within yourselves, 'As a father we have Abraham;' for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/worsley/matthew/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> "We have Abraham for our father:" for I tell you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. <a href="/parallel/matthew/3-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=514" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/3.htm">The Mission of John the Baptist</a> …8Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. 9<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">do not</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: doxēte (V-ASA-2P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">presume</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legein (V-PNA) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">to say</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautois (RefPro-DM3P) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">yourselves,</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echomen (V-PIA-1P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">‘We have</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-AMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">as our father.’</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">out of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutōn (DPro-GMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these</a> <a href="/greek/3037.htm" title="3037: lithōn (N-GMP) -- A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.">stones</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">can</a> <a href="/greek/1453.htm" title="1453: egeirai (V-ANA) -- (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.">raise up</a> <a href="/greek/5043.htm" title="5043: tekna (N-ANP) -- A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.">children</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">for</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-DMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham.</a> 10The 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a> “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-8</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. <a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7</a> Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. <a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a> 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. <a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a> But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. <a href="/romans/2-28.htm">Romans 2:28-29</a> A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-31</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ... <a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a> For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11-12</a> And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a> No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. <a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a> Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him. <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17-18</a> I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a> But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Genesis 18:18</a> Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.think.<a href="/mark/7-21.htm">Mark 7:21</a> For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,<a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a> 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.<a href="/luke/5-22.htm">Luke 5:22</a> But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?We.<a href="/ezekiel/33-24.htm">Ezekiel 33:24</a> Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.<a href="/luke/16-24.htm">Luke 16:24</a> And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.<a href="/john/8-33.htm">John 8:33,39,40,53</a> They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? … God.<a href="/matthew/8-11.htm">Matthew 8:11,12</a> And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven… <a href="/luke/19-40.htm">Luke 19:40</a> And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.<a href="/acts/15-14.htm">Acts 15:14</a> Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zephaniah/1-18.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/1-17.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/malachi/3-6.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/jeremiah/35-16.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Imagine</a> <a href="/esther/7-5.htm">Presume</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-16.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-14.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Think</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-1.htm">Within</a> <a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/8-11.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/matthew/5-9.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/23-31.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/mark/11-10.htm">Forefather</a> <a href="/acts/4-25.htm">Imagine</a> <a href="/luke/7-7.htm">Presume</a> <a href="/matthew/10-8.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Think</a> <a href="/matthew/6-23.htm">Within</a> <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 3</div>1. <a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">John preaches: his office, life, and baptism.</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">He reprimands the Pharisees,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/3-13.htm">and baptizes Jesus in Jordan.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/3.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>And do not presume The Greek word for "presume" is "δοκέω" (dokeō), which means to think or suppose. This phrase warns against a false sense of security or entitlement. In the context of John the Baptist's message, it serves as a caution against relying on heritage or lineage for spiritual standing. The call is to humility and self-examination, recognizing that spiritual pride can lead to complacency.to say to yourselves This phrase indicates an internal dialogue or self-assurance. It suggests that the people were comforting themselves with their heritage rather than seeking true repentance. The emphasis here is on the personal responsibility of each individual to examine their own heart and motives, rather than relying on external factors for righteousness.‘We have Abraham as our father.&#8217 Abraham is a central figure in Jewish identity, representing the covenant and promises of God. The Jews of John’s time took pride in their descent from Abraham, believing it guaranteed them favor with God. However, John challenges this notion, emphasizing that physical descent is not sufficient for spiritual standing. This highlights the biblical theme that true children of Abraham are those who share his faith, not just his bloodline (<a href="/galatians/3-7.htm">Galatians 3:7</a>).For I tell you This phrase underscores the authority of the speaker, John the Baptist, as a prophet. It is a direct and emphatic statement, indicating the importance and truth of what follows. John speaks with divine authority, calling the people to listen and heed his warning.that out of these stones The mention of "stones" is symbolic and possibly a play on words, as the Hebrew word for "children" (banim) sounds similar to "stones" (abanim). This imagery suggests God's power to create life and fulfill His promises in unexpected ways. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and ability to raise up a faithful people from the most unlikely sources.God can raise up children for Abraham This statement emphasizes God's creative power and the inclusivity of His covenant. It challenges the exclusivity of the Jewish claim to Abraham's legacy, opening the door for Gentiles to be grafted into the family of God through faith. It underscores the New Testament teaching that true kinship with Abraham is based on faith and obedience, not merely ancestry (<a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16-17</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) We have Abraham to (better, as) our father.--The boast seems to have been common, as in <a href="/context/john/8-33.htm" title="They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, You shall be made free?">John 8:33-39</a>, and was connected with the belief that this alone, or taken together with the confession of the creed of Israel "the Lord our God is one Lord" (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm" title="Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>), would be enough to ensure for every Jew an admission into Paradise. The "bosom" of Abraham was wide enough to receive all his children. "We have Abraham as our father" was to the Jew all and more than all that "civis Romanus sum" was to the Romans.Of these stones.--The words were obviously dramatised by gesture, pointing to the pebbles on the banks of the Jordan. In their spiritual application, they are remarkable as containing the germs of all the teaching of our Lord, and of St. Paul, and of St. John, as to the calling of the Gentiles, and the universality of God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 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 (ver. 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 (<a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Luke 3:8</a>, "Begin not to say ). St. Luke deprecates the commencement of such an utterance in their heart; S t. Matthew denies its justice. Within yourselves; cf. <a href="/esther/4-13.htm">Esther 4:13</a> (Hebrew). We have Abraham to our father. As it was recognized on all hands that the promise of blessing was made to Abraham and his seed, it is no wonder that many Jews presumed upon their descent from him, "sup, posing,", as Justin Martyr says ('Trypho,' § 140.), that the everlasting kingdom will assuredly be given to those who are of the seed of Abraham according to the flesh, although they be sinners and unbelieving and disobedient towards God." In later times, when the doctrine of merit was more fully established, God could be represented as saying to Abraham, "If thy children were like dead bodies without sinews or bones, thy merit would avail for them" ('Ber. Rabb.,' on Genesis 10:5:11. § 44, middle). In John's words, on the contrary, we have the germ of the doctrine afterwards Brought out by St. Paul (e.g. <a href="/galatians/3-9.htm">Galatians 3:9, 29</a>), that not natural descent, but spiritual relationship by faith, leads to inheriting the promises. The argument in <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a>, etc., is closely akin to that presented here. In both passages the Jews lay stress on their origin from Abraham; in both the answer is that morally they are sprung from a very different source (supra, ver. 7, note). But in <a href="/john/8.htm">John 8</a>. the Jews are thinking chiefly of their present state, of not being as sinful as Jesus makes them out to be, while here they are thinking more of the future, that they have no need to take trouble, because promises for the future belong to them. Hence, perhaps, the exact expression (contrast <a href="/john/8-33.htm">John 8:33</a>), "We have Abraham as father," which brings out the protecting influence of Abraham as still available. For I say unto you (λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν). The solemnity of the phrase (<a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25, 29</a>; <a href="/matthew/8-11.htm">Matthew 8:11</a>; <a href="/matthew/11-9.htm">Matthew 11:9</a>) lies in the self-consciousness which it implies. The absence of the ἐγώ shows that the speaker has no desire to bring out his own personality (contrast <a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Matthew 5:22</a>, etc.), but the message only. That God. Not "the LORD," because (1) the thought is of power rather than of covenant relationship; (2) he is about to speak of others than members of the covenant nation. Is able of these stones. These; apodeictic (<a href="/matthew/4-3.htm">Matthew 4:3</a>). Some have thought that by these stones John directly means certain Gentiles who were standing near; but it is much mere likely that he points to the literal stones at his feet, and with strong hyperbole says that he who once raised up offspring as the stars for multitude from persons as good as dead (<a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19</a>), and who had originally made man of the dust of the earth, can (δύναται), with both physical power and moral right, raise out of the very rawest material a new Israel (cf. <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">Romans 4:17</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/1-28.htm">1 Corinthians 1:28</a>, "the things that are not"). Raise up. The verb employed (ἐγείρω) is, as it seems, not used in the LXX. with reference to natural generation, but ἀνίστημι (cf. <a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Genesis 38:8</a>, ἐξανίστημι; <a href="/genesis/4-25.htm">Genesis 4:25</a>; <a href="/genesis/19-32.htm">Genesis 19:32</a>; cf. also <a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24</a>). It is, however, very suitable here, for while ἀνίστημι regards future worth, ἐγείρω specially contrasts a later with an earlier state (e.g. sleep) - in this case the nature of children with the insensibility of stones. Children. The new Israel would possess, not merely Abraham's privileges, but his nature and character (τέκνα), in which you to whom I now speak are so deficient. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/3-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. {do} not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. presume δόξητε (doxēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. to say λέγειν (legein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. yourselves, ἑαυτοῖς (heautois) Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. ‘We have ἔχομεν (echomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. Abraham Ἀβραάμ (Abraam) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. [as our] father.’ Πατέρα (Patera) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. I tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. out of ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. these τούτων (toutōn) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. stones λίθων (lithōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3037.htm">Strong's 3037: </a> A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. can δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. raise up ἐγεῖραι (egeirai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1453.htm">Strong's 1453: </a> (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse. children τέκνα (tekna) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5043.htm">Strong's 5043: </a> A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child. for τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Abraham. Ἀβραάμ (Abraam) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/3-9.htm">Matthew 3:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/3-9.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 3:9 Don't think to yourselves 'We have Abraham (Matt. 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