James 3:12

Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? In the same way, no spring can produce both salt water and fresh water.

Text-Critical English NT

In The King James Version

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

In Context

11Does a spring pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?

13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done with the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

Read all of James 3

Cross References

Matthew 7:16By their fruits you will know them. Do people gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Luke 6:43“No good tree produces bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit.

Matthew Henry on James 3:2-13

Government of the Tongue. ( a. d. 61.) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study James 3:12