Teks -- Matthew 3:8 (NET)

3:8 Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance,

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Robertson: Mat 3:8 - Fruit worthy of repentance

Fruit worthy of repentance ( Karpon axion tēs metanoias ).

John demands proof from these men of the new life before he administers baptism to them. "The fruit is not the change of heart, but the acts which result from it"(McNeile). It was a bold deed for John thus to challenge as unworthy the very ones who posed as lights and leaders of the Jewish people. "Any one can do (poiēsate ,vide Gen 1:11) acts externally good but only a good man can grow a crop of right acts and habits"(Bruce).

Wesley: Mat 3:8

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.

JFB: Mat 3:8 - Bring forth therefore fruits

The true reading clearly is "fruit";

JFB: Mat 3:8 - 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.

Calvin: Mat 3:8 - Yield therefore fruits worthy of repentance

Mat 3:8; Luk 3:8. Yield therefore fruits worthy of repentance He confirms what I have already said, that the repentance, which is attested by words, is of no value, unless it be proved by the conduct: for it is too important a matter to be estimated lightly, or at random. And so John affirms, that the solemn declaration, which they made, is not enough, but that, in process of time, their works will make it evident, whether or not they have seriously repented. ²⁶⁶ It ought to be observed, that good works ( Titus 3:8) are here called fruits of repentance: for repentance is an inward matter, which has its seat in the heart and soul, but afterwards yields its fruits in a change of life. ²⁶⁷ But as the whole of this part of doctrine has been grievously corrupted by Popery, we must attend to this distinction, that repentance is an inward renewal of the man, which manifests itself in the outward life, as a tree produces its fruit.

Defender: Mat 3:8 - fruits meet for repentance

John's baptism was conditioned on repentance - that is, a genuine change of mind and attitude toward God. It symbolized a washing away of fleshly sins, as well as a new life following death to the old life. Peter's exhortation after Pentecost was very similar (Act 2:38). In both cases, true repentance, as well as faith in God and His promises, are assumed as conditions for forgiveness of sins. Without these, baptism is meaningless."

TSK: Mat 3:8 - forth // fruits // meet

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; 2Co 7:10,2Co 7:11; 2Pe 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

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Poole: Mat 3:8 - Fruits meet

You come here and thrust yourselves into a crowd of penitents, but this is not enough, true repentance is not a barren thing; neither are your leaves of external profession a sufficient indication of it, you must bring forth the fruits of holiness, fruits that may answer the nature of true repentance. The proper products of habits are called their fruits; thus we read of the fruit of sin, and the fruit of righteousness .

Fruits meet (answerable to amendment of life)

for repentance are works that are the proper product of repentance, or justly answering an external profession of repentance. As faith, so repentance, without works is dead.

Haydock: Mat 3:8

See note for ver. 2.

Gill: Mat 3:8 - Bring forth therefore fruits // fruits meet for repentance

Bring forth therefore fruits,.... 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", Act 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 2Co 7:11. Now let it be observed, that John insisted upon repentance, and a good conversation, attesting the truth of it as necessary prerequisites to the ordinance of baptism; and so Peter first urged repentance; and then proposed baptism, Act 2:38 from whence one should think it may be rationally and strongly concluded, that none but truly repenting sinners, and such who have given proofs that they are so, are to be admitted to this ordinance.