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

h2 Meaning

This verse declares the imminent and decisive nature of God's judgment. John the Baptist proclaims that the tool of divine judgment—the "axe"—is already poised and ready at the "root" of humanity, symbolized as "trees." It signifies that those who do not demonstrate genuine repentance by producing "good fruit" (actions consistent with a transformed heart) will face absolute removal and ultimate condemnation, like barren trees cut down and consumed by fire. The emphasis is on the certainty and severity of this impending separation between the fruitful and the unfruitful.

h2 Cross References

h2 Context

Matthew 3 begins with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, announcing the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and calling people to repentance. He introduces the practice of water baptism as a symbol of that repentance. When the religious leaders—Pharisees and Sadducees—come to him, John confronts their self-righteousness and presumption based on their lineage from Abraham. He challenges them to produce "fruit in keeping with repentance" (v. 8), rather than relying on external markers or their heritage. Verse 10 builds directly on this challenge, using the vivid agricultural metaphor to emphasize the inescapable and radical judgment that awaits those who fail to genuinely repent and produce good fruit, warning of exclusion from the coming kingdom and the divine wrath associated with the Messiah's arrival, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.

h2 Word analysis

• And now also (καὶ ἤδη / kai ēdē): Signifies immediacy and present reality. It is not merely a future event, but something already active and close at hand. This underlines the urgency of John's message.

• the axe (ἡ ἀξίνη / hē axinē): A common tool, here symbolizing God's judgment and severe punitive action. It represents decisive and sharp separation, not just pruning.

• is laid (κεῖται / keitai): Greek word for "lies," "is placed," or "is set." It suggests a fixed position and readiness. The axe isn't merely held but is already positioned for action, emphasizing the imminent nature of the judgment.

• unto the root (πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν / pros tēn rhizān): "Root" (rhizan) signifies the very foundation or source. The axe is not at the branches (which implies pruning for growth) but at the root, indicating a judgment that is fundamental, definitive, and leading to complete destruction, cutting off the entire tree.

• of the trees (τῶν δένδρων / tōn dendrōn): Represents humanity, particularly those being addressed or generally all people within God's scrutiny. It's a universal judgment principle.

• therefore (οὖν / oun): A conjunction indicating a logical consequence or deduction, emphasizing that what follows is a direct outcome of the axe being ready at the root.

• every tree (πᾶν δένδρον / pan dendron): Denotes universality, that this principle applies to each individual. No one is exempt from the standard of fruit-bearing.

• which bringeth not forth (μὴ ποιοῦν / mē poioun): Literally "not producing" or "not making." The lack of good fruit is the critical determinant. It implies a moral deficiency and an unresponsiveness to God's will.

• good fruit (καρπὸν καλὸν / karpon kalon): Actions, attitudes, and a character that demonstrate genuine repentance and obedience to God. It is visible evidence of an inner transformation by God's Spirit.

• is hewn down (ἐκκόπτεται / ekkoptetai): Literally "cut out," "cut off," or "cut down." Indicates a radical and decisive removal, separating from life or a community.

• and cast (καὶ βάλλεται / kai balletai): Literally "thrown" or "cast." Emphasizes forceful, irreversible disposal.

• into the fire (εἰς πῦρ / eis pyr): "Fire" is a common biblical metaphor for divine wrath, judgment, purification, or destruction. In this context, it clearly signifies destructive and final punishment, often associated with hell or eternal condemnation.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • The axe is laid unto the root of the trees: This phrase communicates an immediate, targeted, and comprehensive judgment that strikes at the core of one's spiritual being or identity, not merely superficial aspects. It signifies a point of no return for those who remain unrepentant.
  • Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit: Establishes the sole criterion for judgment: spiritual barrenness. It highlights that lineage, rituals, or outward conformity without inner transformation and observable righteous living are worthless.
  • Is hewn down, and cast into the fire: These twin actions depict the irreversible and complete nature of the judgment. "Hewn down" speaks of utter removal from the sphere of blessing or the covenant community, while "cast into the fire" points to a definitive and consuming destruction, often implying eternal doom.

h2 Commentary

Matthew 3:10 powerfully encapsulates John the Baptist's message of urgent repentance and the imminent, discerning judgment brought by the Messiah. The imagery of the "axe laid to the root" is stark: it's not a suggestion of future judgment, but an immediate threat that God's instrument of reckoning is poised to act. This "axe" bypasses surface-level actions, striking at the "root," meaning the very foundation and essence of one's life or presumed identity. This was particularly piercing for the Pharisees and Sadducees, who relied on their Abrahamic lineage (their "root") for their standing with God, a lineage John dismisses as irrelevant without the "fruit" of repentance.

The "good fruit" represents actions and character that truly align with a transformed heart—a genuine repentance that extends beyond mere ritual or ancestry. It's the visible outcome of an inward turning toward God. The consequences for not bearing this fruit are severe: "hewn down" and "cast into the fire." "Hewing down" signifies removal from the realm of life or divine blessing, suggesting spiritual excommunication or cutting off from God's people. "Cast into the fire" symbolizes ultimate, consuming destruction, commonly interpreted in Scripture as divine wrath and eternal condemnation. This verse serves as a crucial warning that superficial piety or inherited privilege offers no immunity from God's righteous and impartial judgment. It emphasizes that salvation hinges on a living faith evidenced by changed lives.

h2 Bonus section

This verse not only functions as a warning for those lacking fruit but also foreshadows Jesus's own ministry, which includes discerning judgment (e.g., separating the wheat from the weeds, the sheep from the goats). John's message prepares the way for a Messiah who brings not just grace but also a refining and a sifting. The "fire" John mentions here is conceptually linked to the "Spirit and fire" baptism of the Messiah in verse 11, indicating a two-fold aspect of His work: purification for the obedient and destructive judgment for the unrepentant. This illustrates a consistent biblical truth that divine patience (allowing trees to grow) has a limit, and unproductive life ultimately faces an irreversible reckoning.