Gospel of Matthew Chapter 3 Vs. 8

 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Verses 8-10: “Fruits meet for repentance:” John rebuked the Pharisees, asking them to give evidence of “fruits meet for repentance” (verse 8). There can be no doubt that the New Testament concept of repentance grows out of its usage in the Old Testament, where the term (Hebrew Shub), means far more than an intellectual change of mind.

Genuine repentance proves itself by the fruits of a changed life. John the Baptist further rebuked them for their belief in nationalistic salvation.

“Abraham to our father” means that they were trusting in their physical descent for salvation, rather than in God, which would have constituted a spiritual relationship to Abraham the “father of the faithful.”

Matthew 3:8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”

Bring forth therefore... Proof was required in genuine repentance to discourage mere profession and outward show (Luke 3:8-14; 19:8; 2Cor. 5:17; 7:9-11).

meet for repentance... There are Seven Original Words for "Repent".

Repentance itself is not a work, but works are its inevitable fruit. Repentance and faith are inextricably linked in Scripture. Repentance means turning from one’s sin, and faith is turning to God (1Thes. 1:9). They are like opposite sides of the same coin. That is why both are linked to conversion (Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19-21).

Note that the works John demanded to see were “fruit” of repentance. But repentance itself is no more a “work” than faith is.

Their feelings were summed up in John’s words to them (Mat. 3:7-10).