Matthew 3:8 (WEB)
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!
Catechism · 1
“Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Dan 7:10; Joel 3-4; Mal 3: 19; Mt 3:7-12.
Fathers and councils · 36
Tertullian
“If so, then “God will not be able any longer to raise up from the stones children unto Abraham; nor to make a generation of vipers bring forth fruits of repentance.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 7–9.
Read the whole comment“Will “generations of vipers not bring forth the fruit of repentance?”” — editor's note: Verses 7, 8.
Read the whole comment“In fact, the doctors of the law and the Pharisees, who were unwilling to “believe,” did not “repent” either.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 7–12; xxi. 23, 31, 32.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 4–12.
Read the whole comment“…and if we still ask what are those fitting alms of which even the forerunner of Christ said, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,” undoubtedly it will be found that they are not such as are done by men who undermine their life by daily enormities even to the very end.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 8.
Read the whole comment“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 7–9.
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John Chrysostom
“This was indicated also by what he preached, for nothing else did he say, but “bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 8.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
The words of the teachers should be fitted to the quality of the hearers, that in each particular it should agree with itself and yet never depart from the fortress of general edification.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
It was necessary that after the teaching which he used to the common people, the Evangelist should give an example of the doctrine he delivered to the more advanced; therefore he says, “Seeing many of the Pharisees, &c.”
Read the whole comment - Isidore of SevilleCatena Aurea on Matthew
The Pharisees and Sadducees opposed to one another; Pharisee in the Hebrew signifies, ‘divided;’ because choosing the justification of traditions and observances they were ‘divided’ or ‘separated’ from the people by…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
When John saw those who seemed to be of great consideration among the Jews come to his baptism, he said to them, “O generation of vipers, &c.”
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
The manner of Scripture is to give names from the imitation of deeds, according to that of Ezekiel, “Thy father was an Amorite;” [Ezek 16:3] so these from following vipers are called “generation of vipers.”
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
As a skilful physician from the colour of the skin infers the sick man’s disease, so John understood the evil thoughts of the Pharisees who came to him. They thought perhaps, We go, and confess our sins; he imposes…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
When then he asks, “who will shew you to flee from the wrath to come,” - ‘except God’ must be understood.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or “who hath shewed you?” Was it Esaias? Surely no; had he taught you, you would not put your trust in water only, but also in good works; he thus speaks, “Wash you, and be clean; put your wickedness away from your…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if we read, “shall shew,” in the future, this is the meaning, ‘What teacher, what preacher, shall be able to give you such counsel, as that ye may escape the wrath of everlasting damnation?’
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
God is described in Scripture, from some likeness of effects, not from being subject to such weakness, as being angry, and yet is He never moved by any passion. The word, ‘wrath,’ is applied to the effects of his…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
If they ye would escape this wrath, “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe, he says not merely “fruits of repentance,” but “fruits meet for repentance.” For he who has never fallen into things unlawful, is of right allowed the use of all thing lawful; but if any hath fallen into…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He does not forbid them to “say” they are his, but to trust in that, neglecting virtues of the soul.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
What avails noble birth to him whose life is disgraceful? Or, on the other hand, what hurt is a low origin to him who has the lustre of virtue? It is fitter that the parents of such a son should rejoice over him,…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Because as a preacher of truth he wished to stir them up, to “bring forth fruit meet for repentance,” he invites them to humility, without which no one can repent.
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
There is a tradition, that John preached at that place of the Jordan, where the twelve stones taken from the bed of the river had been set up by command of God. He might then be pointing to these, when he said, “Of…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
He intimates God’s great power, who, as he made all things out of nothing, can make men out of the hardest stone.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is faith’s first lesson to believe that God is able to do whatever He will.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
That men should be made out of stones, is like Isaac coming from Sarah’s womb; “Look into the rock,” says Isaiah, “whence ye were hewn.” Reminding them thus of this prophecy, he shews that it is possible that the…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; the Gentiles may be meant who worshipped stones.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Stone is hard to work, but when wrought to some shape, it loses it not; so the Gentiles were hardly brought to the faith, but once brought they abide in it for ever.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
“These stones” signify the Gentiles because of their hardness of heart. See Ezekiel, “I will take away from you the heart of stone, and give you the heart of flesh.” Stone is emblematic of hardness, flesh of softness.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Of stones there were sons raised up to Abraham; forasmuch as the Gentiles by believing in Christ, who is Abraham’s seed, because his sons to whose seed they were united.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
The axe is that most sharp fury of the consummation of all things, that is to hew down the whole world. But if it be already laid, how hath it not yet cut down? Because these trees have reason and free power to do…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the preaching of the Gospel is meant, as the Prophet Jeremiah also compares the Word of the Lord to an axe cleaving the rock. [Jer 23:29]
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the axe signifies the Redeemer, who as an axe of halt and blade, so consisting of the Divine and human nature, is held by His human, but cuts by His Divine nature. And though this axe be laid at the root of the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
By saying, “Every,” he cuts off all privilege of nobility: as much as to say, Though thou be the son of Abraham, if thou abide fruitless thou shalt suffer the punishment.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
There are four sorts of tree; the first totally withered, to which the Pagans may be likened; the second, green but unfruitful, as the hypocrites; the third, green and fruitful, but poisonous, such are heretics; the…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down, and cast into the fire,” because he who here neglects to bring forth the fruit of good works finds a fire in hell prepared for him.
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Cross-references · 13
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 42.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in Against Hermogenes Chapter 12.
Cited together in Against Hermogenes Chapter 12.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 42.
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 3:7–10 (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.