Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin 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.
Original Language Analysis
ποιήσατε
Bring forth
G4160
ποιήσατε
Bring forth
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
1 of 31
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 31
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἀξίους
worthy
G514
ἀξίους
worthy
Strong's:
G514
Word #:
4 of 31
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μετανοίας
of repentance
G3341
μετανοίας
of repentance
Strong's:
G3341
Word #:
6 of 31
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
10 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἑαυτοῖς
yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
12 of 31
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Πατέρα
to our father
G3962
Πατέρα
to our father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
13 of 31
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἔχομεν
We have
G2192
ἔχομεν
We have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
14 of 31
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 of 31
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
18 of 31
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
20 of 31
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
23 of 31
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
24 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγεῖραι
to raise up
G1453
ἐγεῖραι
to raise up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
28 of 31
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Cross References
Acts 26:20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.Matthew 21:43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.Romans 9:7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.Romans 4:16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,Luke 19:40And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.Philippians 1:11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.John 8:33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Historical Context
First-century Judaism emphasized corporate election—being born Jewish meant belonging to God's covenant people. Pharisees particularly stressed ancestral connection to Abraham as guaranteeing righteousness. John's preaching attacked this presumption, demanding individual repentance and fruit-bearing regardless of ancestry. This prepared for Paul's later theology that true Abraham's children are those who share his faith (Romans 4:16-17, Galatians 3:7-9), not merely his genes. John's raising children from stones may allude to God creating Adam from dust—God creates new life ex nihilo.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's demand for fruits worthy of repentance challenge the tendency to rely on religious heritage rather than genuine transformation?
- What does God's ability to raise up Abraham's children from stones teach about the nature of covenant membership and spiritual identity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John challenges those claiming Abrahamic descent: 'Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father.' True repentance produces fruit—observable life change, not mere religious profession. John demolishes confidence in ethnic privilege ('we have Abraham to our father') by declaring 'God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.' Physical descent doesn't guarantee spiritual standing. God can create Abraham's children from stones if necessary—grace and faith, not genealogy, determine covenant membership.