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Mat 3:8. Ποιήσατε, produce-καρπὸν ἄξιον, worthy fruit) Orige[122] remarks, that in St Matthew worthy fruit is required in the singular number from the Pharisees and Sadducees; whereas, in St Luke, worthy fruits are required in the plural number from the people. I do not myself see what difference it makes in the matter. The singular καρπὸς, fruit, is often used collectively; and in the preaching of St John it may be opposed to barrenness: in the plural number, it implies fecundity. Men are here represented as trees; and the fruit is, therefore, their repentance.-τῆς μετανοίας, of repentance) Construe these words with καρπὸν.[123] Thus, in Act 26:20, we read ἄξια τῆς μετανοὶας ἔργα.-μετάνοια, repentance, is an entire change of character,[124] and a renunciation of all that is evil, by which renunciation we wish that evil void or undone.
[122] rigen (born about 186 A.D., died 253 A.D., a Greek father: two-thirds of the N. Test. are quoted in his writings). Ed. Vinc. Delarue, Paris. 1733, 1740, 1759.
[123] Bengel would apparently render the passage thus: worthy fruit of repentance; and so in the passage immediately cited from the Acts, worthy works of repentance. E. V. has, in the one passage, fruits meet for repentance; in the other, works meet for repentance.-(I. B.)
[124] This scarcely expresses the original “transmutatio mentis.” Ainsworth gives us the first signification of MENS-“That part of the rational soul which is the seat of natural parts and acquired virtues.”-(I. B.)