Matthew 7:17

Good fruit grows on a good tree. Rubbish fruit grows on a rubbish tree.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

In Context

16If you look at the things these people do, you can find out if they are talking true words, or if they are liars.” Then Jesus told a picture story. He said, “Think about the trees that give us fruit to eat. We can’t get good fruit from rubbish trees. We can’t get grapes from rubbish plants.

18A good tree can’t make bad fruit. A bad tree can’t make good fruit.

Read all of Matthew 7

Cross References

Luke 13:6Then Jesus told them this picture story to show them that they have to turn to God soon. He said, “A man had a garden with grape vines growing in it. There was a fruit tree there too, called a fig tree. That man used to go to that garden, to see if there was any fruit on that tree, but he never found any fruit.

Ephesians 5:9You know, if people have God’s light in them, they live in a way that is good, right, and true.

Colossians 1:10Then you will live the way that our leader, Jesus, wants you to live, and you will do lots of good things that will make him happy. And you will know God better and better all the time.

Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:16-21

The Sermon on the Mount. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Matthew 7:17