Matthew 3:10

“And now also the axe is laid, etc.] These words may be rendered, “for now also”, and contain in them a reason why they might expect future wrath; why they should bring forth good fruit; and why they should not trust to nor plead their descent from Abraham, because “the axe is now laid”: by which is meant, not the Gospel which now began to be preached by John; though this was like an axe laid to the root of, and which cut down, their pride and vanity, their self-confidence and glorying in their righteousness, holiness, carnal wisdom, and fleshly privileges: but rather; the axe of God’s judgment and vengeance is here designed, which, because of the certainty and near approach of it, is said to…”

“And now also--And even already. the axe is laid unto--"lieth at." the root of the trees--as it were ready to strike: an expressive figure of impending judgment, only to be averted in the way next described. therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire--Language so personal and individual as this can scarcely be understood of any national judgment like the approaching destruction of Jerusalem, with the breaking up of the Jewish polity and the extrusion of the chosen people from their peculiar privileges which followed it; though this would serve as the dark shadow, cast before, of a more terrible retribution to come. The "fire," which in…”

“The axe is laid at the root of the tree - Laying the axe at the root of a tree is intended to denote that the tree is to be cut down. It was not merely to be trimmed, or to be cut about the limbs, but the very tree itself was to be struck. That is, a searching, trying kind of preaching has been commenced. A kingdom of justice is to be set up. Principles and conduct are to be investigated. No art, no dissimulation, will be successful: People are to be tried by their lives, not by birth or profession. They who are not found to bear this test are to be rejected. The very root shall feel the blow, and the fruitless tree shall fall. This is a beautiful and very striking figure of speech, and a…”

“But the axe also already lieth - That is, there is no room for such idle pretences. Speedy execution is determined against all that do not repent. The comparison seems to be taken from a woodman that has laid down his axe to put off his coat, and then immediately goes to work to cut down the tree. This refers to the wrath to come in Mat 3:7. Is hewn down - Instantly, without farther delay. Matthew 3:11”

“now: Mal 3:1-3, Mal 4:1; Heb 3:1-3, Heb 10:28-31, Heb 12:25 the ax: Luk 3:9, Luk 23:31 therefore: Psa 1:3, Psa 92:13, Psa 92:14; Isa 61:3; Jer 17:8; Joh 15:2 is hewn: Mat 7:19, Mat 21:19; Psa 80:15, Psa 80:16; Isa 5:2-7, Isa 27:11; Eze 15:2-7; Luk 13:6-9; Joh 15:6; Heb 6:8; Pe1 4:17, Pe1 4:18 Matthew 3:11”