Matthew 3:9 net — and don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up childre…

NET Bible

"and don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!"

— Matthew 3:9, NET Bible

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Matthew 3:9 in Other Translations

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Matthew 3 — Context

6

and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

7

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them,“You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8

Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance,

9

and don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

10

Even now the ax is laid at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

11

“I baptize you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am– I am not worthy to carry his sandals! He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

12

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the storehouse, but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire!”

Matthew 3:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 3:9 say?
Matthew 3:9 in the NET Bible reads: “and don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!”
Where is Matthew 3:9 in the Bible?
Matthew 3:9 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 3, verse 9.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 3:9.
What translation should I read Matthew 3:9 in?
Matthew 3:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 3:9?
Matthew 3:9 reads (NET): “and don’t think you can say to yourselves,‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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