To Pharisees (popular teachers who represent not only Jesus’ opponents but also Jewish leaders who retained their own teachings rather than joined the church) and Sadducees (an elite party with Jerusalem and temple connections) seeking his baptism of repentance, John the Baptist asserts that Abrahamic descent will not save them. Again Matthew redefines the family: “God is able from these stones [Heb. ebanim] to raise up children [Heb. banim] to Abraham” (3:9).