Mat 3:7-12 | Family | STEP | Pharisees ; a sect among the Jews who were very strict in their outward forms of religion, but were inwardly corrupt, proud, and hypocritical. Sadducees ; they denied a resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits, and generally were sceptical, and loose in their habits. Vipers ; men who were malignant and bitter in their opposition to the character and will of Christ.

Matthew 3:7-12

Pharisees; a sect among the Jews who were very strict in their outward forms of religion, but were inwardly corrupt, proud, and hypocritical.

Sadducees; they denied a resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits, and generally were sceptical, and loose in their habits.

Vipers; men who were malignant and bitter in their opposition to the character and will of Christ. Fruits; show the reality of your repentance by forsaking your sins and obeying the commands of God. In order that repentance may be shown to be sincere, it must produce good works. Think not; depend not on the piety of your ancestors, but become pious yourselves. Piety is not hereditary, and none can safely depend on the goodness of others; but in order to be saved, each one must become pious himself. Hewn down; those who continue to neglect known duty will be destroyed. He; Jesus Christ.

Not worthy; though among all who were born of women none were greater in condition and honor than John. Mt 11:11, yet so much greater was Jesus Christ, even in his deepest humiliation, that John was not worthy to untie, or carry his shoe.

Holy Ghost; by his Spirit he will purify all who believe in him, as gold is purified by the fire. The greatest and most honorable among men are so much less honorable than the Lord Jesus Christ, that they are not worthy to perform for him the most lowly service. Wheat; the good.

Chaff; the bad. He will make an endless separation between the righteous and the wicked. Mt 25:46. A knowledge of this should lead all to break off their sins by righteousness, and their iniquities by turning unto the Lord.