Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 3:10

"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." — Matthew 3:10 (ASV)

He means that the King has come—the Cutter-down of every fruitless tree has arrived. The Great Woodman has thrown down His axe at the root of the trees. He lifts the axe. He strikes. The fruitless tree is felled. It is cast into the fire. The sketch is full of life. The Baptizer sees forests falling beneath the axe, for He whom he heralds will be the Judge of men and the Executioner of righteousness.

What an announcement he had to make! What a scene his believing eye beheld! Our vision is much the same. The axe is still at work. Lord, do not cut me down for the fire. I know that the absence of good fruit is as fatal as the presence of corrupt fruit. Lord, let me not be a mere negative, lest I be hewn down, and cast into the fire.

And now also the axe is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

Other teachers came, as it were, only to lop and prune the trees, but the time had come for the felling of those that were fruitless.

John did this, and so did our Lord Jesus Christ, for his preaching dug up the very roots of sin, superstition, and evil of every kind.

Therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

It is not enough to hew it down. Into the fire it must go; and John does not mince his words about the matter, he speaks straight out the message of his Master.