3:9a

In Greek, 3:9a begins with a phrase that emphasizes what John was about to say. The Berean Standard Bible does not translate this phrase. Consider whether it is natural in your language to use such an expression here. Some ways to translate it in English are:

Yes, even now (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Indeed (New American Standard Bible)

The axe lies ready at the root of the trees: This clause is a metaphor. Its literal meaning is that ⌊someone⌋ has already placed his ax on the ground next to the trees because he is ready to cut them down. This metaphor indicates that God is ready to punish people, just as a man brings his ax over to a tree is ready to cut it down.

In some languages the meaning of this metaphor may not be clear. If this is true in your language, it may be necessary to indicate the meaning more explicitly. For example:

Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

⌊God⌋ is about to ⌊punish people who do not repent⌋. He is like a man who is aiming his ax at the root of a tree, ready to cut it down.

ready: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ready emphasizes that the danger is immediate/imminent. The ax is right there, ready to strike. The tree is about to be cut down.

the root: Here the phrase the root refers to the part of the tree that is just above the ground. In this context, it does not mean the part that is below the ground. A person could cut the tree there and make the whole tree fall. In some languages this may be translated as something like:

the base of the tree/trunk

the trees: John did not name a specific type of tree. The context indicates that he was referring to fruit trees, such as fig trees.

3:9b–c

and In Greek, this part of the verse is connected to 3:9a with a conjunction that is sometimes translated as “therefore,” as in the English Standard Version. Many English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, translate it as and. Other versions start a new sentence here. For example:

Any tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire. (God’s Word)

Connect 3:9b–c to 3:9a in a way that is natural in your language.

every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire: The Greek verbs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be cut down and thrown are passive. In some languages it may be more natural to use an active clause here and supply a general subject such as “man” or “woodcutter.” For example:

the man/woodcutter will cut down every tree that does not produce good fruit and throw it into the fire

In this part of the verse John continued to use the metaphor about the fruit trees from 3:9a. The trees represent people. Fruit trees that do not produce good fruit represent people who do not do and say what is good. The man/woodcutter represents God ready to punish those people. In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning of the metaphor more explicit here, as in 3:9a. For example:

If anyone is like a tree that does not produce good fruit, ⌊God will punish that person. That person will be like a tree⌋ that is cut down and burned up.
-or-

⌊If you do not repent and do what is good, you will be punished/destroyed⌋ like a useless/fruitless tree is cut down and thrown it into a fire.

In some translations, it may be helpful to explain the meaning of the metaphor more fully in a footnote. For example:

God is ready to condemn and severely punish all people who do not repent and do good things that show that they have repented. If the descendants of Abraham do not repent, God will punish them also.

Paragraph Group 3:10–14

In 3:10–14, three groups of people asked John the same question. They asked him what they should do. The three groups are:

(a) the crowd (3:10);

(b) tax collectors (3:12);

(c) soldiers (3:14).

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