Repentance in Luke 3:8

Subject Repenting, not repenting, etc.:        The multitude that came forth to be baptized.  Matthew specified that these persons were Pharisees and Sadducees.  Matthew was written to a Jewish audience.  Because Luke wrote to a Gentile audience, it appears he removed reference to what might seem, to a Gentile, to be obscure religious sects within Judaism, and referred to them simply as "the multitude."  We know, however, that these were the religious leaders, which explains why they would be trusting in religion to save them.

Object of that repentance: Salvation through religion.  Since repentance means "a change of mind," we can only inferentially determine the object of repentance by determining the concepts or propositions about which men must change their mind.  Here, those invited to repent are told to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, and "begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father."  The passage is also recorded in Matthew 3:5-9, and with the same message.  The meaning of fruit depends on the context.  Here, as several other places in Scripture, fruit is equivalent to sound doctrine.  It would be evidence, by their confession, or their disciples, that they were not trusting in religion to save them, but in the salvation of God.

Consequence of lack of repentance:    Those who fail to repent will be "Hewn down, and cast into the fire."  The object of repentance, salvation by religion, is, throughout Scripture, a soteriological issue.  And the consequence of not repenting, to be cast into the fire, is also soteriological imagery of eternal judgment, particularly in view of Matthew's more detailed treatment of this passage, and the added context he offers.  One who trusts in religion to save them is headed for a Christless grave, and a Christless eternity.

Repentance in Luke 3:8