KJV: 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.
YLT: and do not think to say in yourselves, A father we have -- Abraham, for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise children to Abraham,
Darby: And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
ASV: 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.
| δόξητε | presume |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural Root: δοκέω Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose. |
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| λέγειν | to say |
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Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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| ἐν | within |
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Parse: Preposition Root: ἐν Sense: in, by, with etc. |
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| ἑαυτοῖς | yourselves |
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Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Root: ἑαυτοῦ Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves. |
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| Πατέρα | [As] father |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: προπάτωρ Sense: generator or male ancestor. |
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| ἔχομεν | we have |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural Root: ἔχω Sense: to have, i.e. to hold. |
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| τὸν | - |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Ἀβραάμ | Abraham |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: Ἀβραάμ Sense: the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation. |
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| λέγω | I say |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to say, to speak. |
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| ὑμῖν | to you |
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Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural Root: σύ Sense: you. |
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| ὅτι | that |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ὅτι Sense: that, because, since. |
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| δύναται | able is |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular Root: δύναμαι Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom. |
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| ὁ | - |
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Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Θεὸς | God |
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Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| ἐκ | out of |
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Parse: Preposition Root: ἐκ Sense: out of, from, by, away from. |
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| λίθων | stones |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: λίθος Sense: a stone. |
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| τούτων | these |
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Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: οὗτος Sense: this. |
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| ἐγεῖραι | to raise up |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active Root: ἐγείρω Sense: to arouse, cause to rise. |
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| τέκνα | children |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: τέκνον Sense: offspring, children. |
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| τῷ | unto |
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Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Ἀβραάμ | Abraham |
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Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular Root: Ἀβραάμ Sense: the son of Terah and the founder of the Jewish nation. |
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Greek Commentary for Matthew 3:9
John touched the tender spot, their ecclesiastical pride. They felt that the “merits of the fathers,” especially of Abraham, were enough for all Israelites. At once John made clear that, reformer as he was, a breach existed between him and the religious leaders of the time. [source]
“Pointing, as he spoke to the pebbles on the beach of the Jordan” (Vincent). [source]
Pointing, as he spoke, to the pebbles on the beach of the Jordan. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 3:9
A favourite Hebrew idiom like “son of hell” (Matthew 23:15), “sons of this age” (Luke 16:8). The Jews felt that they had a natural right to the privileges of the kingdom because of descent from Abraham (Matthew 3:9). But mere natural birth did not bring spiritual sonship as the Baptist had taught before Jesus did. [source]
See on Matthew 3:9. [source]
“We are Abraham‘s seed,” the proudest boast of the Jews, of Sarah the freewoman and not of Hagar the bondwoman (Galatians 4:22.). Yes, but the Jews came to rely solely on mere physical descent (Matthew 3:9) and so God made Gentiles the spiritual children of Abraham by faith (Matthew 3:7; Romans 9:6.). And have never yet been in bondage to any man Perfect active indicative of δουλευω douleuō to be slaves. This was a palpable untruth uttered in the heat of controversy. At that very moment the Jews wore the Roman yoke as they had worn that of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Alexander, the Ptolemies, the Syrian (Seleucid) kings. They had liberty for a while under the Maccabees. “These poor believers soon come to the end of their faith” (Stier). But even so they had completely missed the point in the words of Jesus about freedom by truth. [source]
In thy heart is added by Paul. The phrase say in the heart is a Hebraism for think, compare Psalm 14:1; Psalm 36:1; Psalm 10:11. Usually of an evil thought. Compare Matthew 3:9; Matthew 24:48; Revelation 18:7. [source]
Second aorist active subjunctive with μη mē like Deuteronomy 8:17. To say in the heart is to think (Matthew 3:9). That is, to bring Christ down (τουτ εστιν Χριστον καταγαγειν tout' estin Christon katagagein). Second aorist active infinitive of the common verb καταγω katagō to bring or lead down. It is dependent on the preceding verb αναβησεται anabēsetai (shall ascend). Τουτ εστιν Tout' estin (that is) is what is called Midrash or interpretation as in Romans 9:8. It occurs three times here (Romans 9:6-8). Paul applies the words of Moses to Christ. There is no need for one to go to heaven to bring Christ down to earth. The Incarnation is already a glorious fact. Today some men scout the idea of the Deity and Incarnation of Christ. [source]
Compare Matthew 3:9; John 8:33; Romans 9:7; Romans 11:1; Galatians 3:16; Hebrews 2:16. The three names are arranged climactically, Hebrews pointing to the nationality; Israelites to the special relation to God's covenant; seed of Abraham to the messianic privilege. Compare with the whole, Philemon 3:4, Philemon 3:5. [source]
Sometimes rendered seems, 1 Corinthians 12:22; 2 Corinthians 10:9; Galatians 2:9; but think is Paul's usual meaning. Comp. Matthew 3:9; 1 Corinthians 11:16; Philemon 3:4. [source]
Second perfect active infinitive. Old idiom, “seems to himself to have confidence.” Later idiom like Matthew 3:9 “think not to say” and 1 Corinthians 11:16, “thinks that he has ground of confidence in himself.” [source]