¹ tn The verb here is ποιέω (poiew; see v. 4).

² tn Grk “fruits.” The plural Greek term καρπούς has been translated with the collective singular “fruit” (so NIV; cf. Matt 3:8 where the singular καρπός is found). Some other translations render the plural καρπούς as “fruits” (e.g., NRSV, NASB, NAB, NKJV).

³ tn In other words, “do not even begin to think this.”

⁴ sn We have Abraham as our father. John’s warning to the crowds really assumes two things: (1) A number of John’s listeners apparently believed that simply by their physical descent from Abraham, they were certain heirs of the promises made to the patriarch, and (2) God would never judge his covenant people lest he inadvertently place the fulfillment of his promises in jeopardy. In light of this, John tells these people two things: (1) they need to repent and produce fruit in keeping with repentance, for only that saves from the coming wrath, and (2) God will raise up “children for Abraham from these stones” if he wants to. Their disobedience will not threaten the realization of God’s sovereign purposes.

⁵ sn The point of the statement God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham is that ancestry or association with a tradition tied to the great founder of the Jewish nation is not an automatic source of salvation.

⁶ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn Grk “said.”

⁸ tn Here “as well” is used to translate καί (kai) at the beginning of the statement.

⁹ tn Grk “men.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

¹⁰ tn Grk “you yourselves do not touch.” This could mean one of two things: (1) Either they make others do what they themselves do not (through various technical exceptions) or (2) they make no effort to help the others fulfill what they are required to do. Considering the care these religious figures are said to have given to the law, the second option is more likely (see L&N 18.11).

¹¹ sn You have taken away the key to knowledge is another stinging rebuke. They had done the opposite of what they were trying to do.

¹² tn Or “you tried to prevent.”

¹³ sn The call to sell your possessions is a call to a lack of attachment to the earth and a generosity as a result.

¹⁴ tn Grk “give alms,” but this term is not in common use today.

¹⁵ tn Grk “in the heavens.”

¹⁶ tn Or “an unfailing treasure in heaven,” or “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.”

¹⁷ tn The term σής (shs) refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2, which mentions “moth-eaten” clothing.

¹⁸ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

¹⁹ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²⁰ tn Grk “before men.” The contrast is between outward appearance (“in people’s eyes”) and inward reality (“God knows your hearts”). Here the Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used twice in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, but “men” has been retained in the text to provide a strong verbal contrast with “God” in the second half of the verse.

²¹ tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.

²² tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).