Matthew
King James Version (KJV)
![King James Bible King James Bible KJV](../images/king-james-bible-kjv.png)
“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
King James Version (KJV)
3:10 But the axe also already lieth - That is, there is no room for such idle pretences. Speedy execution is determined against all that do not repent. The comparison seems to be taken from a woodman that has laid down his axe to put off his coat, and then immediately goes to work to cut down the tree. This refers to the wrath to come in verse 7, #Mt 3:7|. Is hewn down - Instantly, without farther delay.
Mt 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.