Matthew 7:16
By the fruit of their lives you will know them. Do people gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Twentieth Century New Testament
In The King James Version
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
In Context
17So, too, every sound tree bears good fruit, while a worthless tree bears bad fruit.
Cross References
Matthew 12:33You must assume either that both tree and fruit are good, or that both tree and fruit are worthless; since it is by its fruits that a tree is known.
James 3:12Can a fig tree, my Brothers, bear olives? or a vine bear figs? No, nor can a brackish well give good water.
Jude 1:10But these men malign whatever they do not understand; while they use such things as they know by instinct (like the animals that have no reason) for their own corruption.
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 →