MAT 3:10 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But already the ax is set against the root of the trees. So, every tree not producing good fruit is chopped down and thrown into a fire.

UST You are like fruit trees that do not produce good fruit. God is like a man who is positioning the head of his axe at the base of those trees, ready to chop them down and throw them into the fire. God is ready to punish you like that if you continue sinning.

BSB The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into [the] fire.

BLB Already now the ax is applied to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

AICNT Indeed, the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

OEB Already the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

WEBBE Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET 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.

LSV and now also, the axe is laid to the root of the trees, therefore, every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down, and is cast into fire.

FBV In fact the ax is ready to chop down the trees. Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

TCNT Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

T4T God is ready to punish you if you do not turn away from your sinful behavior, just like a man who lays his axe at the roots of a fruit tree in order to chop it down and throw it into the fire if it does not produce good fruit [MET].”

LEB Already now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

BBE And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; every tree then which does not give good fruit is cut down, and put into the fire.

Moff The axe is lying all ready at the root of the trees; any tree that is not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Wymth And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire.

ASV And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

DRA For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.

YLT and now also, the axe unto the root of the trees is laid, every tree therefore not bearing good fruit is hewn down, and to fire is cast.

Drby And already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

RV And even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(And even now is the axe laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth/brings not forth good fruit is hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire. )

SLT And now also the axe lies at the root of the trees; therefore every one not making good fruit is cut off and cast into fire.

Wbstr And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

KJB-1769 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.
(And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit is hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire. )

KJB-1611 And now also the axe is layd vnto the root of the trees: Therefore euery tree which bringeth not foorth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Euen now is the axe also put vnto the roote of the trees: therefore, euery tree which bryngeth not foorth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.
(Even now is the axe also put unto the root of the trees: therefore, every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit, is hewn/chopped down, and cast into the fire.)

Gnva And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: therfore euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe, and cast into ye fire.
(And now also is the axe put to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit, is hewn/chopped down, and cast into ye/you_all fire. )

Cvdl Euen now is the axe put vnto ye rote of the trees: therfore euery tre which bringeth not forth good frute, shalbe hewe downe, and cast into the fyre.
(Even now is the axe put unto ye/you_all root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit, shall be hew/chop down, and cast into the fire.)

TNT Euen nowe is the axe put vnto the rote of the trees: soo that every tree which bringeth not forthe goode frute is hewe doune and cast into the fyre.
(Even now is the axe put unto the root of the trees: soo that every tree which bringeth/brings not forth good fruit is hew/chop down and cast into the fire. )

Wycl And now the ax is put to the roote of the tree; therfore euery tree that makith not good fruyt, shal be kit doun, and shal be cast in to the fier.
(And now the ax is put to the root of the tree; therefore every tree that maketh/makes not good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast in to the fire.)

Luth Es ist schon die Axt den Bäumen an die Wurzel gelegt. Darum, welcher Baum nicht gute Früchte bringet, wird abgehauen und ins Feuer geworfen.
(It is already the Axt the trees at/to the root(n) placed. Therefore, which tree not good fruit brings/gets, becomes ran_away and into_the fire(n) thrown.)

ClVg Jam enim securis ad radicem arborum posita est. Omnis ergo arbor, quæ non facit fructum bonum, excidetur, et in ignem mittetur.[fn]
(Now because securis to root arborum placed it_is. Everyone therefore arbor, which not/no he_does fruit good, excidetur, and in/into/on fire will_sendur. )

3.10 Jam enim securis. Ne autem viderentur immunes, si se a talibus sacramentis separarent, comminatur. Securis. Christus, qui ex manubrio constat et ferro, id est, humanitate qua tenetur, et divinitate quia incidit. Posita est: quia etsi per patientiam exspectat, videt tamen quid est facturus. Ad radicem. Id est, finem Judaici populi, ut auferat de terra viventium eos qui in Christo non credunt. Vel, securis, sententia judicii, vel prædicatio Evangelii. Ad radicem. Nota non ad ramos, sed ad radicem. Cum enim filii malorum tolluntur, quid aliud quam rami infructuosæ arboris abscinduntur? Cum tota progenies simul cum parente tollitur, arbor radicitus abscinditur, ne quid remaneat unde iterum aliquid germinis oriatur. Radices sunt cogitationes, quibus plantati, vel sursum cœlo sustolluntur, vel ad ima inferni mittuntur. Arbor humanum genus: hujus rami, alii sunt aridi, id est, pagani incendio apti. Alii virides, sed sine fructu: ut hypocritæ, qui speciem sanctitatis prætendunt, sed intus vacui: alii fructuosi, sed venenosi, id est, hæretici: qui prædicando fructum pariunt, sed mortalem. Alii, id est, catholici, qui bonum fructum ferunt. Omnis ergo arbor, ut gentiles, hypocritæ, qui nullum, et hæretici, qui malum.

3.10 Now because securis. Don't however they_would_seem immunes, when/but_if himself from such sacraments to_separatent, comminatur. Securis. Christ/Messiah, who/which from manubrio it_is_agreed/certain and with_iron, that it_is, humanitate which is_held, and divinity because incidit. Posita it_is: because even_though through patience is_waiting, he_sees nevertheless what it_is going_to_do. To root. That it_is, the_end Yudaici of_the_people, as take_away from/about earth/land of_the_living them who/which in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah not/no they_believe. Or, securis, opinion judgement, or preaching of_the_Gospels. To root. Note not/no to branches, but to root. Since because children of_evil tolluntur, what something_else how branches infructuosæ arboris abscinduntur? Since the_whole progenies at_the_same_time when/with parente is_taken_away, arbor radicitus is_cut_off, not what remaneat from_where/who again something germinis oriatur. Radices are thoughts, to_whom plant(n)ti, or up/above sky sustolluntur, or to bottom hell are_sent. Arbor human kind/class: of_this branches, others are aridi, that it_is, pagani burning apti. Others greens, but without fruit: as hypocrites, who/which appearance sanctitatis beforetendunt, but inside/within vacui: others fruitosi, but venenosi, that it_is, heretics: who/which preaching fruit pariunt, but mortalem. Others, that it_is, catholici, who/which good fruit they_carry. Everyone therefore arbor, as Gentiles, hypocrites, who/which none, and heretics, who/which evil.

UGNT ἤδη δὲ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται; πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(aʸdaʸ de haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai.)

SBL-GNT ἤδη ⸀δὲ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(aʸdaʸ ⸀de haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai.)

RP-GNT Ἤδη δὲ καὶ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(Aʸdaʸ de kai haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai.)

TC-GNT Ἤδη δὲ [fn]καὶ ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται· πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται.
(Aʸdaʸ de kai haʸ axinaʸ pros taʸn ɽizan tōn dendrōn keitai; pan oun dendron maʸ poioun karpon kalon ekkoptetai kai eis pur balletai. )

3:10 και ¦ — CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:1–12: John the Baptist taught people to repent and obey God

The story starting at 3:1 occurred about twenty-eight years after 2:23. Matthew did not tell what happened during those twenty-eight years. But he restarted the story at this time in Jesus’ life because Jesus was ready to begin the work that God gave him to do. He began at the time God chose for him.

John the Baptist was the last prophet before Jesus. The story of how John was born is in Luke chapter 1. He was the prophet whom God said would come (3:3). John wore the kind of clothes prophets often wore (3:4). He baptized people who repented. John preached that Jesus would be greater than he was (3:11).

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The work of John the Baptist/Baptizer

The work of John who baptized people

John the Baptizer preached repentance and submission to God’s rule

John the Baptizer prepared people to receive the Lord

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:1, Luke 3:1–18 and John 1:19–28.

Paragraph 3:7–10

In this paragraph, John the Baptist spoke to the Pharisees and Sadducees.

3:10

Verse 3:10 is a metaphor. Its literal meaning is that someone has aimed his axe at trees that do not produce good fruit. He is ready to cut down these trees and burn them.

John the Baptist was comparing the Pharisees and Sadducees to these trees. He compared their behavior to the fruit of the trees. He compared God to the man who is ready to chop down the trees that had not produced good fruit. John was warning them that just as trees that do not produce good fruit will be chopped down and burned, so they will be severely punished by God if they do not show good works.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

Translate it literally. For example:
There is an axe already at the base of the trees, and every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
The axe is already at the base of the trees. If a tree does not produce good fruit, it will be cut down and thrown into the fire. If you translate the metaphor literally, you may wish to explain the meaning in a footnote. A sample footnote is:
John was saying that just as a man is ready to chop down any tree that does not produce good fruit, so God was ready to punish people who do not do good deeds that show that they have repented.
Translate the metaphor as a simile. For example:
God is like a man holding his axe at a tree trunk. If you do not show good works, you will be punished. This is like a tree that does not bear good fruit. He will cut it down and throw it into the fire.
Just as a man is holding his axe ready to chop down a tree that does not bear fruit and throw it into the fire, in the same way God is ready to punish you if you do not do good things/deeds.
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
You will soon be punished eternally by God if you do not do good deeds
God is ready to judge/punish you who fail to do good deeds that show that you have repented

3:10a

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees,

Right now there is an axe placed/held at the base/foot of the trees.
You are like trees that have an axe pointed/aimed at their base.
God is like a man who is holding his axe at a tree trunk and is ready to chop it down.

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees: This clause indicates that an axe is ready to cut down trees. It is implied that someone is holding the axe. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

someone has his axe pointed/aimed at the trunk of trees ready to cut them down

a man is holding an axe at the base/trunk of trees. He is ready to cut them down

the trees will soon be cut by a man with an axe

These words are a metaphor. For advice on translating this metaphor, see the examples above.

The axe lies ready: The Greek word that the BSB translates as ready emphasizes that the danger is immediate. The axe is right there, ready to strike. The tree is about to fall.

Here is another way to translate this word:

The ax is already (NIV)

Even now the axe is laid (ESV)

at the root of the trees: The phrase at the root of the trees refers to the part of the tree that is just above the ground, where an axe could cut it. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the base/trunk of the trees

at the bottom/foot of the trees

In some languages, it is not necessary to specify where the tree is cut down. For example:

to cut down the trees (NCV)

the trees: John did not name a specific type of trees, but it is clear from the context that he was referring to fruit trees such as fig trees.

3:10b

and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down

Any tree that does not yield/bear good fruit will be chopped down
Therefore, if you^(plur) do not do good deeds, you will be destroyed/punished. This is like a tree that does not produce/bear good fruit. It will be cut down
God will punish every person who does not do good deeds, just like a man will cut down every tree that does not bear good fruit,

The metaphor continues here in 3:10b. People who do not do good works are compared to trees that do not produce good fruit. God will punish these people. They are compared to trees that are cut down.

For translation advice, see the examples above in 3:10.

and every tree: The Greek conjunction that the BSB here translates as and introduces what happens as a result of the situation in 3:10a.

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

so then

as a result

the result will be that

that does not produce good fruit: The Greek words that the BSB translates as produce…fruit also occurred in 3:8. You should translate these words here as you did there.

will be cut down: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as will be cut down is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

As a passive verb. For example:
is cut down (RSV)
As an active verb. For example:
he will cut it down

3:10c

and thrown into the fire.

and thrown into a fire.
and thrown on a fire to burn.
and he will put them into a fire and burn them.

The metaphor continues by describing how the tree is burned and so destroyed. This refers to being punished by God.

thrown into the fire: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as thrown is passive.

Here are some other ways to translate this verb:

As a passive verb. For example:
thrown into the fire (RSV)
As an active verb. For example:
and will throw it into a fire
then he will throw it on a fire and burn it.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἤδη Δέ ἡ ἀξίνη πρός τήν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται παν οὖν δένδρον μή ποιοῦν καρπόν καλόν ἐκκόπτεται καί εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται)

Here, the word But introduces a development of the ideas in the previous verse. It also introduces a slight contrast with God being able to make children of Abraham from stones. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of development, or you could leave But untranslated. Alternate translation: [Further,] or [As a matter of fact,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἤδη & ἡ ἀξίνη πρὸς τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται; πᾶν οὖν δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

already & the axe (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἤδη Δέ ἡ ἀξίνη πρός τήν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται παν οὖν δένδρον μή ποιοῦν καρπόν καλόν ἐκκόπτεται καί εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται)

In this verse, John speaks as if people were trees and as if God had an ax. Every person who does not repent and do what is right is like a tree that does not produce good fruit. Just as someone chops down these trees and burns them, so God will punish these people. If possible preserve the metaphor here. You could use simile form, or if necessary, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [already it is as if the ax is set against the root of the trees. Every person who does not repent and obey is like a tree that does not produce good fruit. It is chopped down and thrown into a fire] or [already God is ready to judge people. So, anyone who does not repent and obey will be declared guilty and punished]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἡ ἀξίνη & κεῖται

the axe & ˓is˒_lying

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was God. Alternate translation: [God has set the ax]

Note 4 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

τὴν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων

In this verse, the word root is singular in form, but it refers to all the roots of the trees as a group. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say this plainly. Alternate translation: [the roots of the trees]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὴν ῥίζαν

Here, the word root refers to the lowest part of the tree that shows above the ground. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [the base] or [lowest part]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πᾶν & δένδρον μὴ ποιοῦν καρπὸν καλὸν ἐκκόπτεται καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, it is clear from the context that it is God. Alternate translation: [God chops down every tree not producing good fruit and throws it into a fire]

Note 7 topic: translate-tense

ἐκκόπτεται καὶ & βάλλεται

˓is_being˒_cut_off (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἤδη Δέ ἡ ἀξίνη πρός τήν ῥίζαν τῶν δένδρων κεῖται παν οὖν δένδρον μή ποιοῦν καρπόν καλόν ἐκκόπτεται καί εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται)