Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 3:9

"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." — Matthew 3:9 (ASV)

The coming of God’s reign either demands repentance (v.2) or brings judgment. Repentance must be genuine: if we wish to escape the coming wrath (v.7), our lifestyle must be in harmony with our oral repentance (v.8). Merely being descendants of Abraham is not enough (v.9). In the OT God repeatedly cut off many Israelites and saved only a remnant. Verse 9 not only rebukes the selfrighteousness of the leaders but implies that participation in the kingdom results from grace and extends beyond racial frontiers (cf. 8:11).