Luke 3:7-9

Luke 3:7-9

[7] Then  he to the multitude  that came forth  to be baptized  of  him,  O generation  of vipers,  who  hath warned  to flee  from  the wrath  to come?  [8] Bring forth  therefore  fruits  worthy  of repentance,  and  begin  not  to say  within  yourselves,  We have  Abraham  to our father:  for  I say  That  God  is able  of  stones  to raise up  children  unto Abraham.  [9] And  now  also  the axe  is laid  unto  the root  of the trees:  every  tree  therefore  not  forth  good  fruit  is hewn down,  and  cast  into  the fire. 

What does Luke 3:7-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Luke"s introduction of John"s message is more general than Matthew"s, but his summary of John"s preaching is almost identical to Matthew"s. However, Luke never reported that John said, "Repent, for the kingdom is at hand" ( Matthew 3:2). Luke waited to introduce the kingdom theme until Jesus began His ministry ( Luke 4:43).
As adders try to escape before an approaching brush fire, so the Jews of John"s day were trying to escape God"s coming judgment by fleeing to him for baptism. [1] However, John sensed that their reason for coming to him was just their safety, not genuine repentance. Righteous behavior would demonstrate true repentance. Many of the Jews believed that Abraham"s righteousness availed for his descendants. [2] As God had cut Israel out of Abraham, who was a rock spiritually, so He could produce children for Himself from the stones in the wilderness (cf. Luke 19:40). [3] There is a play on words here in Aramaic involving "stones," abnayya, and "children," benayya. People commonly cut down and burn fruit trees that do not produce fruit. Likewise God would judge Israel as a fruitless tree unless the Jews repented and started bearing the fruits of repentance (cf. Luke 6:43-45; Luke 13:6-9; Isaiah 5:1-7).
"The Greek verb [4] means "to change one"s mind," but in its Lucan usage it comes very close to the Hebrew verb for repent which literally means "to turn or turn around" (sub).... A change of perspective, involving the total person"s point of view, is called for by this term. In fact, John called for the Israelites to bring forth fruit worthy of repentance ( Luke 3:8). This passage is significant for it separates repentance from what it produces, and also expresses a link between repentance and fruit. One leads to the other.
"In summary, Luke saw repentance as a change of perspective that transforms a person"s thinking and approach to life." [4]