Matthew 3:9 (WEB)
Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
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 · 56
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“Here some man will say, Then will “children not be raised up to Abraham from the stones?”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“And in like manner, if Matter had been by nature evil, why might it not have been changed by God as the more powerful Being, as able to convert the nature of stones into children of Abraham?” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
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.
Read the whole comment“…upon a “red”—and in their stead must be under-strewn stones polished and apt for conjunction, and firm,—such as are made (by God) into (sons) of Abraham,—that thus the man may be fit for God.” — editor's note: Comp. Matt. iii. 9; Luke iii. 8.
Read the whole comment“For albeit it is subsequently that he is called “a father of many nations,” still it is of those (nations) who, as the fruit of the “faith” which precedes digamy, had to be accounted “sons of Abraham.”” — editor's note: See Rom. iv. 11, 12, Gal. iii. 7; and comp. Matt. iii. 9; John viii. 39.
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Gregory of Nyssa
“…and “children of the day,” are not the same with light and day in respect of the definition of their nature, and the stones are made Abraham’s children when they claim their kindred with him by faith and works; and those who are “led by the Spirit of God,” as the Apostle says, are called “Sons of God,” without…” — editor's note: Cf. S. Matt. iii. 9
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Irenaeus of Lyons
“…him, and that He might make his seed as the stars of heaven, as John the Baptist says: “For God is able from these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“For thus it had behoved the sons of Abraham [to be], whom God has raised up to him from the stones, and caused to take a place beside him who was made the chief and the forerunner of our faith (who did also receive the covenant of circumcision, after that…” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“The skill of God, therefore, is not defective, for He has power of the stones to raise up children to Abraham; but the man who does not obtain it is the cause to himself of his own imperfection.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“…the church is the seed of Abraham; and for this reason, that we may know that He who in the New Testament “raises up from the stones children unto Abraham,” is He who will gather, according to the Old Testament, those that shall be saved from all the nations, Jeremiah says: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord,…” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“Whence in the Gospel we find that “children of Abraham are raised from stones, that is, are gathered from the Gentiles.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
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Clement of Alexandria
“…prophecy accordant with truth, and bewailing those who are crushed in ignorance and folly: “For God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham;” and He, commiserating their great ignorance and hardness of heart who are petrified against the truth, has raised up a seed of piety, sensitive to virtue, of…” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9; Luke iii. 8.
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Augustine of Hippo
“But we, that the Gentile people might enter in, out of the stones raised up as children to Abraham, who followed not after righteousness, have attained to it, and are risen; and not by our own strength, but being justified by faith, we stand upright.” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“Suppose they choose to sin even as past hope, and so fall into sins as to offend their Father’s countenance, and deserve to be disinherited; is it not still God Himself, of whom it is said, “From these stones” He “will raise up sons to Abraham”?” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“He made men even out of stones, in the words of John the Baptist himself, “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“For children that have been raised even from the stones have flocked unto Abraham: sheep which were not of this fold, have flocked unto him, that there might be one flock, and one shepherd; the faith of all nations was added, and the number…” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“…the tongues of the dumb are loosed, the hands of the palsied are strengthened, the feet of the lame are guided; sons of Abraham are raised up of these stones, to all of whom be it said, “Bless the Lord, ye house of Israel” (ver. 19).” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“…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““Say not, We have Abraham for our father: for God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
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
“Wherefore John cried out to them, saying, “Think not to say that we have Abraham to our father.” ( Matt. iii. 9.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And John too said unto those that were coming to him, “Think not to say, We have Abraham to our father.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment““For God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“Wherefore John also spake nothing at first concerning hell, but, what was most apt to grieve them, He saith, “Think not to say, we are children of Abraham.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
Read the whole comment“And His forerunner too, in saying, “O generation of vipers, think not to say, We have Abraham to our father,”means not this, that they were not naturally of Abraham, but that it profits them nothing to be of Abraham, unless they had the affinity by character; which…” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 7, 9.
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Jerome
“Now that out of the hard stones of the Gentiles God has raised up children unto Abraham, they begin to be “holy stones rolling upon the earth.”” — editor's note: Matt. iii. 9.
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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 · 24
Parallel passages
Matthew 3:9 and Luke 3:8 share the same wording (24 words).
Cited together with
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.39.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Eunomius III.6 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Hermogenes Chapter 12.
Cited together in A Treatise on the Soul Chapter 21.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Against Eunomius III.6.
Cited together in Against Eunomius III.6.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.39.
Cited together in Tractates on the Gospel of John Tractate 42.
Cited together in Against Heresies IV.25.
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 3:7–10 (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.