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Luke 3:8

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 3:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Luke 3:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth;
6And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8Bring 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.
9And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
10And the multitudes asked him, saying, What then must we do?
11And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, etc.] Or “meet” for it, such as will show it to be true and genuine: “and begin not to say within yourselves”: in one of Beza's copies, and in another of Stephens's, it was read, “think not”, as in (<400309>Matthew 3:9). the sense is the same. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, leave out the phrase, “within yourselves”: what they are forbid to say follows, we have Abraham to our father, for I say unto you, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham; which need not be thought strange, when the creation of Adam out of the earth, and the production of such a numerous offspring, as the Israelites were, from Abraham and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“On the baptism of John - see the notes at Matthew 3:0. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Say not within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father - That is, trust not in your being members of the visible Church, or in any external privileges whatsoever: for God now requires a change of heart; and that without delay. Luke 3:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:8 we are descendants of Abraham: Some Jews believed that their descent from Abraham guaranteed their salvation (see John 8:33-39; Acts 7:2; Rom 4:1). • That means nothing: God had selected the Israelites as his people, and he could reject them and create children of Abraham from these very stones if he chose (cp. Hos 1:3-9; Rom 9:6-8, 27-28; 11:17-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fruits: Isa 1:16-18; Eze 18:27-31; Act 26:20; Co2 7:10, Co2 7:11; Gal 5:22-24; Phi 1:11; Heb 6:7, Heb 6:8 worthy of: or, meet for We: Luk 13:28, Luk 13:29, Luk 16:23-31; Isa 48:1, Isa 48:2; Jer 7:4-10; Joh 8:33; Rom 4:16, Rom 9:7 of these: Luk 19:40; Jos 4:3-8; Mat 8:11, Mat 8:12, Mat 21:43; Gal 3:28, Gal 3:29 Luke 3:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification