Matthew 3:8

“Bring forth therefore fruits, etc.] That is, if you are truly penitent, if you have a proper sense of sin, and true repentance for it, do such works as are suitable to it, and will show the genuineness of it; for fruits meet for repentance are the same as “works meet for repentance”, (<442620>Acts 26:20) and as a tree is known by its fruit, so repentance is known by good works; these are the fruits and effects of repentance, and which are proofs with men of the sincerity of it. Those which follow upon evangelical repentance are such as are mentioned in (<470711>2 Corinthians 7:11). Now let it be observed, that John insisted upon repentance, and a good conversation, attesting the truth of it…”

“Bring forth therefore fruits--the true reading clearly is "fruit"; meet for repentance--that is, such fruit as befits a true penitent. John now being gifted with a knowledge of the human heart, like a true minister of righteousness and lover of souls here directs them how to evidence and carry out their repentance, supposing it genuine; and in the following verses warns them of their danger in case it were not.”

“Bring forth therefore fruits ... - That is, the proper fruits of reformation; the proper evidence that you are sincere. Do not bring your cunning and dissimulation to this work; do not carry your hypocrisy into your professed repentance, but evince your sincerity by forsaking sin, and thus give evidence that this coming to Jordan to be baptized is not an act of dissimulation. No discourse could have been more appropriate or more cutting. Fruits - Conduct. See Matthew 7:16-19. Meet for repentance - Fit for repentance; appropriate to it the proper expression of repentance. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Repentance is of two sorts; that which is termed legal, and that which is styled evangelical repentance. The former (which is the same that is spoken of here) is a thorough conviction of sin. The latter is a change of heart (and consequently of life) from all sin to all holiness. Matthew 3:9”

“3:8 Prove . . . that you have . . . turned to God (literally make fruit that accords with repentance): John calls for action and true ethical change; mere lip service will not do (see Luke 3:10-14; cp. Matt 5:19-20, 46; 7:21; 23:3).”

“forth: Mat 21:28-30, Mat 21:32; Isa 1:16, Isa 1:17; Luk 3:8, Luk 3:10-14; Act 26:20; Rom 2:4-7; Co2 7:10, Co2 7:11; Pe2 1:4-8 fruits: Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23; Eph 5:9; Phi 1:11 meet: etc. or, answerable to amendment of life, Jer 7:3-7, Jer 26:13, Jer 36:3 Matthew 3:9”