And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
English Standard Version (ESV)
John the Baptist isn't just saying that God could create new people for Abraham; he's emphasizing that true lineage isn't about flesh and blood. God’s power to raise children from stones highlights that spiritual fatherhood is about faith and obedience, not just ancestry.
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As John the Baptist begins calling people to repentance, he confronts the deep-seated pride of the Jewish leaders who believed their lineage from Abraham guaranteed them God's favor. John forcefully declares that God isn't bound by their bloodline; He could even make stones into Abraham's spiritual children, emphasizing that true lineage comes through faith and obedience, not just ancestry. This warning sets the stage for Jesus' ministry, which would radically redefine who belonged to God's family, including Gentiles and those considered outsiders.
You might think being part of a 'good family' or 'church family' automatically makes you right with God. John the Baptist had to shut down that exact idea for the people of his day.
The people listening to John the Baptist had a deep-seated belief: their physical descent from Abraham guaranteed them a special place with God. They thought being Abraham's descendants was enough, a sort of 'get out of judgment free' card. John confronts this head-on, saying, 'Don't presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.'' This wasn't just about who their grandpa was; it was a spiritual presumption. They were relying on a heritage, not on heart change and true faith, to secure their standing before God. This is a timeless warning: outward religious affiliation or family ties aren't a substitute for a genuine relationship with God.
What if God decided to create his chosen people not from humans, but from… rocks? John uses this wild image to show just how much God isn't limited by our expectations.
John's radical statement, 'God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham,' is a powerful reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and creative power. He wasn't just making a point; he was illustrating a profound truth: God's plan doesn't depend on human lineage or our cooperation. If God can create life from inanimate objects, surely He can bypass any human barrier to fulfill His promises. This means God's 'family' isn't restricted by birth or ethnicity. He chooses who belongs, and His ability to bring people into His covenant family is unlimited, even performing miracles that defy natural understanding. It shows that true 'childrenhip' with Abraham is about spiritual likeness and faith, not just bloodline.
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Understand the original words
Abraam · Greek Proper Noun
The patriarch of Israel, seen as the father of faith; in this context, it refers to the pride of national/ethnic heritage as a substitute for true personal faith.
John's bold declaration directly confronts the deeply ingrained Jewish belief that Abraham's physical descent guaranteed divine favor, reminding them that true lineage is spiritual and a matter of God's sovereign power.
c. 1800 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him a father of many nations and to give his descendants the land of Canaan. This promise becomes a cornerstone of Jewish identity.
c. 1400 BC - 1000 BC
Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
The Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt and, after wandering in the desert, conquer and settle in the Promised Land. This period solidifies their sense of being God's chosen people.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event serves as a stark warning about the consequences of disobedience for God's people.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and exile the population. This catastrophic event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and theology, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, many Jews are allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This restoration reinforces the idea of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
c. AD 28— this verse
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins preaching a message of repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River, preparing the way for the Messiah. His ministry challenges the prevailing religious and social norms of the time.
This passage directly echoes John the Baptist's message, clarifying that true descendants of Abraham are those who share his faith, not just his physical lineage.
Romans 4:1Paul here discusses Abraham's status before God, highlighting that Abraham was justified by faith, not by his works or heritage, reinforcing the idea that outward descent is insufficient.
John 8:39In a similar confrontation, Jesus tells the Jewish leaders that their claim to be Abraham's children is invalid if they don't do what Abraham did, mirroring John's emphasis on true spiritual offspring.
Luke 3:8This verse directly parallels Matthew 3:9, emphasizing the need for 'fruits in keeping with repentance' and warning against relying on the mere claim of being Abraham's descendants.
Romans 9:7-13Paul explains God's sovereign choice, using examples like Jacob and Esau to show that God's plan isn't based on natural descent but on His own purposes, supporting John's assertion of God's power to choose differently.
bensonMatthew 3:9: "And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."
Matthew 3:9 . And think not to say — Or, as the words, μη δοξητε λεγειν , rather signify, Presume not to say, or, Say not confidently, within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father — As if he had said, Being called upon to bring forth fruits meet for repentance, begin not to obstruct the efficacy of the admonition with t…
barnesMatthew 3:9: "And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."
And think not to say ... - They regarded it as sufficient righteousness that they were descended from so holy a man as Abraham. Compare John 8:33-37 , John 8:53 . John assured them that this was a matter of small consequence in the sight of God. Of the very stones of the Jordan he could raise up children to Abraham. The mea…
John the Baptist isn't just saying that God could create new people for Abraham; he's emphasizing that true lineage isn't about flesh and blood. God’s power to raise children from stones highlights that spiritual fatherhood is about faith and obedience, not just ancestry.
As John the Baptist begins calling people to repentance, he confronts the deep-seated pride of the Jewish leaders who believed their lineage from Abraham guaranteed them God's favor. John forcefully declares that God isn't bound by their bloodline; He could even make stones into Abraham's spiritual children, emphasizing that true lineage comes through faith and obedience, not just ancestry. This warning sets the stage for Jesus' ministry, which would radically redefine who belonged to God's family, including Gentiles and those considered outsiders.
As John the Baptist begins calling people to repentance, he confronts the deep-seated pride of the Jewish leaders who believed their lineage from Abraham guaranteed them God's favor. John forcefully declares that God isn't bound by their bloodline; He could even make stones into Abraham's spiritual children, emphasizing that true lineage comes through faith and obedience, not just ancestry. This warning sets the stage for Jesus' ministry, which would radically redefine who belonged to God's family, including Gentiles and those considered outsiders.
"And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham." — John the Baptist isn't just saying that God could create new people for Abraham; he's emphasizing that true lineage isn't about flesh and blood. God’s power to raise children from stones highlights…
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Last reviewed October 2026