What is your response to this verse in the Book of Matthew?

Question

"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

Answer 1

God's message has not changed since the Old Testament. People will be judged for their unproductive lives. God calls us to be active in our obedience. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resists temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith.

Answer 2

John was talking to the Pharisees and Sauducees who were approaching him.

They were those that lived in Israel who had alternate theories that they kept religiously.

John preached the coming of the Lord. He baptised many that repentented, that is; turning from their ways to God's ways. The tree that would be cut from the truth, from the eternal inheritance provided by God were those that were not to accept the Lord, even though the prophecy of the lordd's coming was blatant in their scriptures.

The fruit that they were to bear is the light of the world. They had the scriptures for the declaration of the light, yet they dug in their heels to the Law of Moses, and did not accept the bringer of the Gospel Himself.

So in denying the truth, they were to be cut down, and cast into the fires of Hell. As will be done to all those that do not accept it.

Answer 3

A tree that bring forth fruit OBEYS Jesus. That means those who obey are to be verbs of the Bible produce good fruit. Those that don't obey are cut down and thrown to the fire.

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8

Answer 4

great question, but remember that "a text out of context is nothing but a pretext."

here is the same verse in "modern english" as someone asked:
"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"

The context is John the Baptist preaching to the Jewish Pharisees and Saducees before Jesus was revealed as Messiah. He was warning them that their man made system and religion was about to fall. The tree referred to in this verse is Judiasm, as it would be "cast into the fire" (which happened in AD70 when Titus ransacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple) for despising and killing the Messiah when He came.

Jesus prophesied Jerusalem's destruction in Matthew 24:1 and 2 "As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings.2 But he responded, "Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"

The Jewish leadership and high priesthood rejected God's ultimate sacrifice for sin and therefor rejected God Himself. Their "fruit" was self righteous hypocrisy, not humility and love for God.

Answer 5

In its context it seems to be a metaphor for the religious leaders in Israel at that time. It would stink to have the creator of the world say I was going to be "hewn down, and cast into the fire." If he said that to me I think I would take a long hard look at my life and attempt to change my lifestyle. Life is too short and eternity is to long to be messing around and living a hedonistic lifestyle. Just my opinion.

Answer 6

John the Baptist was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were legalistic and were hypocritically keeping the Law.
He was warning them of their hypocrisy and the judgment that follows unbelief and rebellion against God by making a comparison to good and bad fruit trees. Unproductive trees are pruned out and go into the flame.

Answer 7

It means that our actions have to agree with the teachings of God.

Our fruit is our actions and deeds.

John said that if we confess Christ we are under obligation to walk as that one walked.

If say we are christian and our conduct proves otherwise, then we are hypocrites the same as white washed graves.

Cutting at the root, will kill the tree, so that it won't grow back, as in the case of pruning a tree.

Answer 8

If we are not founded (rooted)in God, we will not have the ability to do good works pleasing to God. Then one is only part of a dead religion and of no value bringing good found in God to the people around us.

John 15:4-8
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
(from New International Version)

Answer 9

they're all susceptible contradictions. occasion, one might say 1700 yrs, yet another might say 1710 yrs, they declare that 10 three hundred and sixty 5 days distinction makes it not real. or words are defined or translated incorrect with the aid of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, English and that they use those foundation to declare there are contradictions.

Answer 10

Amen! John was talking to the Pharisees and the Saadducee. Yet it can apply to us too for we make the sames mistakes they made and think we have the right and are so perfect like they did.