Matthew 3 10

Matthew 3:10 kjv

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.

Matthew 3:10 nkjv

And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3:10 niv

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

Matthew 3:10 esv

Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3:10 nlt

Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 3 10 Meaning

Matthew 3:10 declares an imminent and inescapable judgment based on an individual's spiritual fruitfulness, regardless of lineage or outward religious observance. The "axe laid to the root" signifies that the instrument of divine judgment is not just at the surface, but prepared to cut off the very source of unproductive lives. Those who do not bear "good fruit"—evidence of true repentance and a transformed life—will face irreversible removal and destructive eternal consequences. This stark warning, delivered by John the Baptist, calls for immediate and genuine change.

Matthew 3 10 Context

This verse is part of John the Baptist's fervent preaching to the crowds, specifically addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his baptism (Matt 3:7). John is proclaiming a message of repentance as a prerequisite for the coming Kingdom of God and the Messiah. His call to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matt 3:8) is crucial. Many in his audience, especially the religious elite, relied on their Abrahamic lineage (Matt 3:9) as a guarantee of salvation, assuming divine favor irrespective of their conduct. John shatters this false security, emphasizing that God requires demonstrable internal change rather than mere external association or ancestry. The imminent arrival of Jesus (the one "who is coming after me," Matt 3:11) brings with it the final divine evaluation, described through vivid, agricultural imagery.

Matthew 3 10 Word analysis

• And now also (Greek: ἤδη δὲ καὶ – ēdē de kai): "Now" emphasizes the immediacy. The judgment is not just coming soon; it is already at the doorstep. It implies a sense of urgency for a response.
• the axe (Greek: ἡ ἀξίνη – hē axinē): Refers to a literal tool for felling trees. Symbolically, it represents the divine instrument of judgment, sharp and decisive, prepared for use.
• is laid (Greek: κεῖται – keitai): This verb is in the present tense and implies "is lying there," "is placed," or "is ready." It vividly conveys that the judgment is not merely approaching but has already been made ready and positioned for immediate execution.
• unto the root (Greek: πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν – pros tēn rhizan): Targeting the deepest part of the tree. This indicates a radical, fundamental, and destructive judgment. It's not about pruning branches or limbs, but destroying the entire tree from its life source. This counters any superficial reform, demanding true internal transformation.
• of the trees (Greek: τῶν δένδρων – tōn dendrōn): In biblical prophecy, "trees" often metaphorically represent individuals, nations, or even leaders, particularly in Israel (e.g., Ps 1:3; Isa 61:3; Jer 17:8). Here, it specifically applies to those among the "generation of vipers" (Matt 3:7).
• therefore every tree: Reaffirms that the judgment is universal; it applies to every single entity that fails the stated criterion, without exception, highlighting individual accountability.
• which bringeth not forth (Greek: μὴ ποιοῦν – mē poioun): Actively "not producing." This implies a continuous state of unfruitfulness, not just a momentary lapse. The failure is not about bad fruit, but an absence of good fruit altogether.
• good fruit (Greek: καρπὸν καλὸν – karpon kalon): This refers to actions, deeds, and a way of life consistent with genuine repentance and God's righteous standards (as taught by John: "fruits worthy of repentance"). It’s the external manifestation of an inward spiritual reality.
• is hewn down (Greek: ἐκκόπτεται – ekkoptetai): Present passive, indicating the act of being cut down. It’s an immediate and irreversible action. The tree is felled completely, signifying a final separation or condemnation.
• and cast (Greek: καὶ βάλλεται – kai balletai): Present passive. Emphasizes the definitive disposal.
• into the fire (Greek: εἰς πῦρ – eis pyr): Symbolizes ultimate destruction, a consuming and purifying judgment. In the eschatological context, this clearly refers to eternal judgment or hell, a place of irreversible punishment for the unrepentant and unfruitful.

Matthew 3 10 Bonus section

This warning from John the Baptist serves not only as a pronouncement of judgment but also as an offer of hope for those who would repent. The imminence of the "axe laid" signifies that the window for change is narrow. It implicitly contrasts the destructive "fire" with the potential of purification through baptism and bearing good fruit, which symbolizes a transformed life in Christ. This verse's stark language underlines the principle that belonging to a covenant people (like Israel) does not automatically exempt one from divine scrutiny. It introduces a key theme elaborated by Jesus: true discipleship is characterized by lasting spiritual fruitfulness, not just initial profession or ceremonial acts.

Matthew 3 10 Commentary

Matthew 3:10 encapsulates John the Baptist's urgent and uncompromising message of divine judgment. He dramatically pictures judgment as an axe already poised at the base of every tree, ready to fell those that fail to produce "good fruit." This imagery directly challenged the spiritual complacency of his audience, particularly the religious leaders, who believed their ancestral heritage to Abraham assured them of God's favor irrespective of their conduct. John asserted that outward religious adherence or lineage was meaningless without inner transformation and resulting ethical conduct. The focus is on the root, indicating that God's evaluation goes to the core of a person's life and being. The consequence for unfruitfulness—being "hewn down and cast into the fire"—is severe, signifying a final, inescapable condemnation and eternal separation. This verse highlights the need for genuine, demonstrated repentance and sets the stage for the stricter requirements of the Kingdom of God announced by Jesus.