Mat 3:10, 12 | PNT | STEP | The axe is laid unto the root of the trees . A sign that the tree is to be cut down. The tree meant is the Jewish nation. Every tree . A fruitless fig-tree was afterward made by our Lord the representative of the whole Jewish nation ( ), but here John declares a universal law. What does not bear fruit shall finally be destroyed. Cast into the fire . When the tree is not fruitful, or bears useless fruit, it is fit for nothing but to be burned.

Matthew 3:10

The axe is laid unto the root of the trees. A sign that the tree is to be cut down. The tree meant is the Jewish nation.

Every tree. A fruitless fig-tree was afterward made by our Lord the representative of the whole Jewish nation (Lu 13:6-9), but here John declares a universal law. What does not bear fruit shall finally be destroyed.

Cast into the fire. When the tree is not fruitful, or bears useless fruit, it is fit for nothing but to be burned.

Matthew 3:12

Fan [is] in his hand. Rather the winnowing shovel, by which the wheat and chaff were tossed together into the air, so that the wind would blow the chaff away. In Palestine grain was threshed on an outdoor threshing floor, either by hand or the treading of cattle, and winnowed by casting it up to the wind.

Gather his wheat into the garner. Granary, or grain depository.

Unquenchable fire. A reference is here made to the practice of burning the chaff under process of winnowing. The wheat is the righteous, the chaff is the wicked, and Christ is the winnower; the granary is heaven, the unquenchable fire is hell.