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Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

Matthew 3:10

The ax is now ready to cut down the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ax;   Minister, Christian;   Pharisees;   Reproof;   Unfaithfulness;   Unfruitfulness;   Wicked (People);   Scofield Reference Index - Holy Spirit;   Thompson Chain Reference - Axes;   Evil;   Fruitfulness-Unfruitfulness;   Roots of Evil;   Unfruitfulness;   The Topic Concordance - Baptism;   Bearing Fruit;   Harvest;   Hell;   John the Baptist;   Repentance;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Baptism;   Trees;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Baptism;   John the baptist;   Prophecy, prophet;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Baptism of Fire;   Fruit;   John the Baptist;   Messiah;   Nahum, Theology of;   Repentance;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Holy Ghost;   Hutchinsonians;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Axe;   John the Baptist;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Keziz;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ax, Ax Head;   Luke, Gospel of;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Tools;   Trinity;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - John the Baptist;   Jordan;   Mss;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Asceticism (2);   Axe;   Doctrines;   Fig-Tree ;   Fire ;   Fruit (2);   Gentleness (2);   John the Baptist;   Logia;   Manuscripts;   Old Testament (Ii. Christ as Student and Interpreter of).;   Pre-Eminence ;   Retribution (2);   Root ;   Tares ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ax, Axe;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Kingdom of christ of heaven;   Kingdom of god;   Kingdom of heaven;   Levi;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Ax;   Fire;   Fruit;   Root;   Tree;   Trees;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   Kingdom or Church of Christ, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Ax (Axe);   Fire;   Good;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Baptism;   Christianity in Its Relation to Judaism;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
King James Version (1611)
And now also the axe is layd vnto the root of the trees: Therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
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.
New American Standard Bible
"And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.
New Century Version
The ax is now ready to cut down the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Amplified Bible
"And already the axe [of God's judgment] is swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: therfore euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe, & cast into ye fire.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Legacy Standard Bible
And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Berean Standard Bible
The ax 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.
Contemporary English Version
An ax is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into a fire.
Complete Jewish Bible
Already the axe is at the root of the trees, ready to strike; every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown in the fire!
Darby Translation
And already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
George Lamsa Translation
Behold, the axe is already placed at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which bears not good fruits shall be cut down and dropped in the fire.
Good News Translation
The ax is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.
Lexham English Bible
Already now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Literal Translation
But already the axe is even laid at the root of the trees; therefore, any tree not bringing forth good fruit is cut off and is thrown into fire.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; every tree then which does not give good fruit is cut down, and put into the fire.
Hebrew Names Version
"Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
International Standard Version
The ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.Matthew 7:19; Luke 13:7,9; John 15:6;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But, behold, the axe lieth at the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which maketh not good fruit is cut down and falleth into the fire.
Murdock Translation
And lo, the ax is put to the root of trees. Every tree, therefore, which beareth not good fruit, is felled, and falleth into the fire.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Euen now is the axe also put vnto the roote of the trees: therefore, euery tree which bryngeth not foorth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
English Revised Version
And even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
World English Bible
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But even the axe already lieth at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire.
Weymouth's New Testament
And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And now the ax is put to the roote of the tree; therfore euery tree that makith not good fruyt, shal be kit doun, and shal be cast in to the fier.
Update Bible Version
And even now the ax lies at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
Webster's Bible Translation
And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
New English Translation
Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
New King James Version
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.
New Living Translation
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.
New Life Bible
"Even now the ax is on the root of the trees. Every tree that does not give good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
New Revised Standard
Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Already also, the axe, unto the root of the trees, is being laid, - every tree, therefore, not bringing forth good fruit, is to be hewn down, and, into fire, to be cast.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.
Revised Standard Version
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.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Euenowe is ye axe put vnto ye rote of ye trees: soo that every tree which bringeth not forthe goode frute is hewe doune and cast into ye fyre.
Young's Literal Translation
and now also, the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree therefore not bearing good fruit is hewn down, and to fire is cast.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Euen now is the axe put vnto ye rote of the trees: therfore euery tre which bringeth not forth good frute, shalbe hewe downe, and cast into the fyre.
Mace New Testament (1729)
the ax is already laid to the root of the trees: every tree then which does not produce good fruit, will be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Simplified Cowboy Version
God's axe is already at the bottom of your tree. If you don't change the way you live your lives, your tree will end up in the BBQ pit.

Contextual Overview

7 Many Pharisees and Sadducees came to where John was baptizing people. When John saw them, he said, "You are all snakes! Who warned you to run from God's judgment that is coming? 8 Change your hearts! And show by the way you live that you have changed. 9 I know what you are thinking. You want to say, ‘but Abraham is our father!' That means nothing. I tell you, God could make children for Abraham from these rocks. 10 The ax is now ready to cut down the trees. Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water to show that you have changed your hearts and lives. But there is someone coming later who is able to do more than I can. I am not good enough to be the slave who takes off his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 He will come ready to clean the grain. He will separate the good grain from the straw, and he will put the good part into his barn. Then he will burn the useless part with a fire that cannot be stopped."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

now: Malachi 3:1-3, Malachi 4:1, Hebrews 3:1-3, Hebrews 10:28-31, Hebrews 12:25

the ax: Luke 3:9, Luke 23:31

therefore: Psalms 1:3, Psalms 92:13, Psalms 92:14, Isaiah 61:3, Jeremiah 17:8, John 15:2

is hewn: Matthew 7:19, Matthew 21:19, Psalms 80:15, Psalms 80:16, Isaiah 5:2-7, Isaiah 27:11, Ezekiel 15:2-7, Luke 13:6-9, John 15:6, Hebrews 6:8, 1 Peter 4:17, 1 Peter 4:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:11 - fruit Exodus 19:15 - Be ready Numbers 16:3 - all the Deuteronomy 20:19 - thou shalt not Deuteronomy 25:1 - General 1 Samuel 4:3 - Let us 2 Samuel 23:7 - and they shall Job 24:20 - wickedness Psalms 7:12 - If Psalms 21:9 - the fire Ecclesiastes 11:3 - if the tree Isaiah 1:31 - and they Jeremiah 5:15 - O house Jeremiah 7:4 - Trust Jeremiah 11:16 - with Ezekiel 19:12 - the fire Ezekiel 20:38 - I will purge Ezekiel 21:32 - for fuel Daniel 4:14 - Hew Amos 9:10 - the sinners Zechariah 13:8 - two Malachi 3:2 - for Matthew 5:20 - ye Matthew 8:12 - the children Matthew 13:23 - beareth Matthew 25:30 - cast Mark 4:19 - unfruitful Mark 11:14 - No Luke 6:43 - General Luke 12:49 - come Luke 13:3 - except Luke 13:7 - cut Luke 13:30 - General Acts 3:25 - the children Romans 11:22 - otherwise Hebrews 10:27 - fiery

Cross-References

Genesis 2:25
The man and his wife were naked, but they were not ashamed.
Genesis 3:7
Then it was as if their eyes opened, and they saw things differently. They saw that they were naked. So they got some fig leaves, sewed them together, and wore them for clothes.
Genesis 3:17
Then God said to the man, "I commanded you not to eat from that tree. But you listened to your wife and ate from it. So I will curse the ground because of you. You will have to work hard all your life for the food the ground produces.
Genesis 3:18
The ground will grow thorns and weeds for you. And you will have to eat the plants that grow wild in the fields.
Exodus 3:6
I am the God of your ancestors. I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
Exodus 32:25
Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get out of control. They were being wild, and all their enemies could see them acting like fools.
Job 23:15
That is why I am terrified to stand before him. Just thinking about it makes me afraid.
Psalms 119:120
I am shaking with fear before you. I fear and respect your judgments.
Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid. Those who do wrong shake with fear. They say, "Can any of us live through this fire that destroys? Who can live near this fire that burns forever?"
Isaiah 47:3
Men will see your naked body and use you for sex. I will make you pay for the bad things you did, and I will not let anyone help you.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And now also the axe is laid,.... These words may be rendered, "for now also", and contain in them a reason why they might expect future wrath; why they should bring forth good fruit; and why they should not trust to nor plead their descent from Abraham, because "the axe is now laid": by which is meant, not the Gospel which now began to be preached by John; though this was like an axe laid to the root of, and which cut down, their pride and vanity, their self-confidence and glorying in their righteousness, holiness, carnal wisdom, and fleshly privileges: but rather; the axe of God's judgment and vengeance is here designed, which, because of the certainty and near approach of it, is said to be "now laid"; and that not to some of the branches only, to lop them off, to take away from the Jews some particular privileges, but "to the root" of all their privileges, civil and ecclesiastical; even the covenant which God had made with that people as a nation, who was now about to write "Lo Ammi" upon them; so that henceforward they would have nothing to expect from their being the seed of Abraham, Israelites, or circumcised persons. The time was just at hand, when the Lord would take his "staff Beauty and cut it asunder, that he might break the covenant he had made with all the people", Zechariah 11:10 in a short time their civil polity and church state would be both at an end. The Romans, who were already among them and over them, would very quickly come upon them, and cut them off root and branch; and utterly destroy their temple, city, and nation: and this ruin and destruction was levelled not at a single tree, a single person, or family only, as Jesse's, or any others, but at the root

of the trees: of all the trees of the whole body of the people; for the covenant which was made with them all being broke, and which was their hedge and fence, they were all exposed to the wild boar of the forest.

Therefore every tree, every individual person, though one of Abraham's children, and made never such a fair show in the

flesh, which bringeth not forth good fruit; does not perform good works from a right principle, to a right end, such as are meet for repentance; particularly, does not believe in the Messiah now ready to be revealed, which is the main and principal work; and does not continue so doing, and thus believing,

is hewn down and cast into the fire. Temporal ruin and destruction shall come upon him; he shall not escape divine vengeance here, and shall be cast into everlasting burnings hereafter; which is quite contrary to a notion of theirs, that בזכותי דאברהם "by the merits of Abraham", the Israelites shall be delivered from the fire of hell d.

d Zohar in Exod. fol. 34. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The axe is laid at the root of the tree - Laying the axe at the root of a tree is intended to denote that the tree is to be cut down. It was not merely to be trimmed, or to be cut about the limbs, but the very tree itself was to be struck. That is, a searching, trying kind of preaching has been commenced. A kingdom of justice is to be set up. Principles and conduct are to be investigated. No art, no dissimulation, will be successful: People are to be tried by their lives, not by birth or profession. They who are not found to bear this test are to be rejected. The very root shall feel the blow, and the fruitless tree shall fall. This is a beautiful and very striking figure of speech, and a very direct threatening of future wrath. John regarded them as making a fair and promising profession, as trees in blossom do. But he told them, also, that they should bear fruit as well as flowers. Their professions of repentance were not enough. They should show, by a holy life, that their profession was genuine.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 3:10. And now also the axe is laid — Or, Even now the axe lieth. As if he had said, There is not a moment to spare - God is about to cut off every impenitent soul - you must therefore either turn to God immediately, or be utterly and finally ruined. It was customary with the prophets to represent the kingdoms, nations, and individuals, whose ruin they predicted, under the notion of forests and trees, doomed to be cut down. See Jeremiah 46:22-23; Ezekiel 31:3, Ezekiel 31:11-12. The Baptist follows the same metaphor: the Jewish nation is the tree, and the Romans the axe, which, by the just judgment of God, was speedily to cut it down. It has been well observed, that there is an allusion here to a woodman, who, having marked a tree for excision, lays his axe at its root, and strips off his outer garment, that he may wield his blows more powerfully, and that his work may be quickly performed. For about sixty years before the coming of Christ, this axe had been lying at the root of the Jewish tree, Judea having been made a province to the Roman empire, from the time that Pompey took the city of Jerusalem, during the contentions of the two brothers Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, which was about sixty-three years before the coming of Christ. See Joseph. Antiq. l. xiv. c. 1-5. But as the country might be still considered as in the hands of the Jews, though subject to the Romans, and God had waited on them now nearly ninety years from the above time, expecting them to bring forth fruit, and none was yet produced; he kept the Romans as an axe, lying at the root of this tree, who were ready to cut it down the moment God gave them the commission.


 
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