Mat 3:9, Joh 8:39 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 9. And think not to say , etc. They regarded it, as sufficient righteousness that they were descended from so holy a man as Abraham. They deemed it as such an honour that it would go far to justify all his descendants, . John assured them that this was a matter of small consequence in the sight of God. Of the very stones of the Jordan he could raise up children to Abraham. The meaning seems to be this: God, from these stones, could more easily raise up those who should be worthy children of Abraham, or be like him , than simply because you are descendants of Abraham make you, who are proud and hypocritical, subjects of the Messiah's kingdom. Or, mere nativity , or the privileges of birth, avail nothing where there is not righteousness of life. Some have supposed, however, that by these stones he meant the Roman soldiers, or the heathen, who might also have attended on his ministry; and that God could of them raise up children to Abraham. (1) "of these stones" or, "answerable to amendment of life"

Matthew 3:9

Verse 9. And think not to say, etc. They regarded it, as sufficient righteousness that they were descended from so holy a man as Abraham. They deemed it as such an honour that it would go far to justify all his descendants, Jn 8:33-37, 53. John assured them that this was a matter of small consequence in the sight of God. Of the very stones of the Jordan he could raise up children to Abraham. The meaning seems to be this: God, from these stones, could more easily raise up those who should be worthy children of Abraham, or be like him, than simply because you are descendants of Abraham make you, who are proud and hypocritical, subjects of the Messiah's kingdom. Or, mere nativity, or the privileges of birth, avail nothing where there is not righteousness of life. Some have supposed, however, that by these stones he meant the Roman soldiers, or the heathen, who might also have attended on his ministry; and that God could of them raise up children to Abraham.

(1) "of these stones" or, "answerable to amendment of life"

John 8:39

Verse 39. Abraham is our father. We are descended from Abraham. Of this the Jews boasted much, as being descended from such an illustrious man. Mt 3:9. As Jesus did not expressly say who he meant (Jn 8:38) when he said they did the works of their father, they obstinately persisted in pretending not to understand him, as if they had said, "We acknowledge no other father but Abraham, and to charge us with being the offspring of another is slander and calumny."

If ye were Abraham's children. The words sons and children are often used to denote those who imitate another or who have his spirit. Mt 1:1. Here it means, "if you were worthy to be called the children of Abraham, or if you had his spirit."

(k) "Abraham" Mt 3:9 (l) "If ye were" Rom 2:28,29, 9:7, Gal 3:7,29