Bible Strands
Luke 3:9
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John the Baptist addresses the crowds gathering for baptism, delivering this warning immediately after commanding them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance and reject reliance on Abraham's lineage.
The words — ἀξίνη (axinē) translates literally to "ax" and ῥίζαν (rhizan) means "root," describing a cutting tool positioned directly against the base of the trees.
The thread — This judgment imagery appears in Matthew 7:19, John 15:6, and Isaiah 10:33.
Why it lands — The text states that every tree failing to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into fire, demanding that readers verify repentance through observable action rather than nominal identity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Cross-references
- Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
- John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
- Isaiah 10:33 Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled.
- Matthew 3:10 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
- Luke 13:9 If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’”
- Luke 13:7 So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
- Ezekiel 31:18 Who then is like you in glory and greatness among the trees of Eden? You also will be brought down to the depths of the earth to be with the trees of Eden. You will lie among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord GOD.’”
- Daniel 4:23 And you, O king, saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying: ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a band of iron and bronze around it, in the tender grass of the field. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and graze with the beasts of the field till seven times pass him by.’
- Hebrews 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
- Ezekiel 15:2 “Son of man, how does the wood of the vine surpass any other branch among the trees in the forest?