CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/40_Mat_07_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 7:16 - A Tree and its Fruit" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/7-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/7-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm" title="Matthew 7:15">◄</a> Matthew 7:16 <a href="/matthew/7-17.htm" title="Matthew 7:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/7.htm">New International Version</a> By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/nlt/matthew/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/esv/matthew/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> By their fruits you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/kjv/matthew/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/7.htm">New King James Version</a> You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? <a href="/nasb_/matthew/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? <a href="/nasb/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? <a href="/nasb77/matthew/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? <a href="/lsb/matthew/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? <a href="/amp/matthew/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? <a href="/csb/matthew/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? <a href="/hcsb/matthew/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> You&#8217ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? <a href="/asv/matthew/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? <a href="/cev/matthew/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks grapes or figs from thornbushes. <a href="/erv/matthew/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? <a href="/gwt/matthew/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You will know them by what they produce. "People don't pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they? <a href="/gnt/matthew/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. <a href="/isv/matthew/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> You will know them by their fruit. Grapes aren't gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles, are they? <a href="/msb/matthew/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/net/matthew/7.htm">NET Bible</a> You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? <a href="/nheb/matthew/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? <a href="/wbt/matthew/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles: <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles? <a href="/web/matthew/7.htm">World English Bible</a> By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> From their fruits you will know them; do [men] gather grapes from thorns? Or figs from thistles? <a href="/blb/matthew/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> By their fruits you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/ylt/matthew/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> From their fruits ye shall know them; do men gather from thorns grapes? or from thistles figs? <a href="/slt/matthew/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> By their fruits shall ye know them. Far from it, do they gather grapes from thorns, or figs from caltrops.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You shall know them by their fruits. Can grapes be gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? <a href="/nabre/matthew/7.htm">New American Bible</a> By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You will know them by their fruits. Why, do they gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But by their fruit you will know them. Do they gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> By their fruits you will know them. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? <a href="/godbey/matthew/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>You shall know them by their fruits. Do the people gather the grape-bunches from thorns, or figs from thistles?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather a bunch of grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? <a href="/mace/matthew/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> you will know them by their fruits: do men gather grapes of thorns, <a href="/wey/matthew/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> By their fruits you will easily recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from brambles? <a href="/worrell/matthew/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>From their fruits ye shall recognize them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Ye will know them by their fruits: do <Fr>men<FR> gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/7-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1647" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/7.htm">A Tree and its Fruit</a> 15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16<a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">By</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/2590.htm" title="2590: karpōn (N-GMP) -- Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively.">fruit</a> <a href="/greek/1921.htm" title="1921: epignōsesthe (V-FIM-2P) -- From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge.">you will recognize</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them.</a> <a href="/greek/3385.htm" title="3385: mēti (IntPrtcl) -- If not, unless, whether at all. From me and the neuter of tis; whether at all."></a> <a href="/greek/4816.htm" title="4816: syllegousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To collect, gather. From sun and lego in its original sense; to collect.">Are grapes gathered</a> <a href="/greek/4718.htm" title="4718: staphylas (N-AFP) -- A grape, cluster of grapes. Probably from the base of stephanos; a cluster of grapes."></a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/173.htm" title="173: akanthōn (N-GFP) -- A thorn-bush, prickly plant; a thorn. Probably from the same as akmen; a thorn.">thornbushes,</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/4810.htm" title="4810: syka (N-ANP) -- A (ripe) fig. Apparently a primary word; a fig.">figs</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/5146.htm" title="5146: tribolōn (N-GMP) -- A thistle. From treis and belos; properly, a crow-foot, i.e. a thorny plant.">thistles?</a> 17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. <a href="/james/3-12.htm">James 3:12</a> My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. <a href="/luke/6-43.htm">Luke 6:43-44</a> No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. / For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. <a href="/john/15-4.htm">John 15:4-5</a> Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. <a href="/matthew/12-33.htm">Matthew 12:33</a> Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. <a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4</a> Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. <a href="/ephesians/5-9.htm">Ephesians 5:9</a> for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. <a href="/colossians/1-10.htm">Colossians 1:10</a> so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, <a href="/philippians/1-11.htm">Philippians 1:11</a> filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. <a href="/hebrews/13-15.htm">Hebrews 13:15</a> Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-7</a> I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour! / “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. ... <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a> I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a> He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. <a href="/proverbs/11-30.htm">Proverbs 11:30</a> The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?shall.<a href="/matthew/7-20.htm">Matthew 7:20</a> Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.<a href="/matthew/12-33.htm">Matthew 12:33</a> Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.<a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">2 Peter 2:10-18</a> But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities… Do.<a href="/luke/6-43.htm">Luke 6:43-45</a> For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit… <a href="/james/3-12.htm">James 3:12</a> Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm">Brambles</a> <a href="/isaiah/38-21.htm">Bunch</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-19.htm">Bushes</a> <a href="/hosea/7-11.htm">Easily</a> <a href="/nahum/3-12.htm">Figs</a> <a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/matthew/3-8.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/malachi/3-11.htm">Grapes</a> <a href="/jonah/1-12.htm">Pick</a> <a href="/daniel/6-15.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/hosea/10-8.htm">Thistles</a> <a href="/micah/7-4.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/hosea/2-6.htm">Thornbushes</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Thorns</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/2-2.htm">Brambles</a> <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Bunch</a> <a href="/genesis/21-15.htm">Bushes</a> <a href="/matthew/7-20.htm">Easily</a> <a href="/mark/11-13.htm">Figs</a> <a href="/matthew/7-17.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/matthew/7-17.htm">Fruits</a> <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/matthew/13-2.htm">Gathered</a> <a href="/matthew/21-34.htm">Grapes</a> <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Pick</a> <a href="/matthew/7-20.htm">Recognize</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Thistles</a> <a href="/john/19-2.htm">Thorn</a> <a href="/luke/6-44.htm">Thornbushes</a> <a href="/matthew/13-7.htm">Thorns</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 7</div>1. <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Do Not Judge</a> 7. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Ask, Seek, Knock</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Enter through the Narrow Gate</a> 15. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">A Tree and Its Fruit</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">The Wise and the Foolish Builders</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>By their fruit you will recognize them. This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment in evaluating the true nature of individuals, particularly spiritual leaders. In biblical context, "fruit" often symbolizes the visible outcomes of one's actions and character. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament, where fruitfulness is associated with righteousness and obedience to God (<a href="/psalms/1-3.htm">Psalm 1:3</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/17-7.htm">Jeremiah 17:7-8</a>). Jesus uses this metaphor to teach that genuine faith and character are evidenced by one's actions and lifestyle. The imagery of fruit is also connected to the fruit of the Spirit in <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a>, which includes love, joy, peace, and other virtues.Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, This rhetorical question highlights the natural order and the impossibility of expecting good outcomes from inherently bad sources. In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, grapes were a common and valued crop, symbolizing abundance and blessing (<a href="/deuteronomy/8-8.htm">Deuteronomy 8:8</a>). Thornbushes, on the other hand, were often associated with desolation and curse (<a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18</a>). The contrast between grapes and thornbushes underscores the idea that true spiritual leaders will produce good fruit, while false prophets will not.or figs from thistles? Figs were another staple in the diet of the people of Israel, representing prosperity and well-being (<a href="/1_kings/4-25.htm">1 Kings 4:25</a>, <a href="/micah/4-4.htm">Micah 4:4</a>). Thistles, like thornbushes, were seen as a symbol of the fall and the curse upon the earth (<a href="/genesis/3-18.htm">Genesis 3:18</a>). This comparison further illustrates the principle that one's true nature is revealed by their actions and the results they produce. The use of familiar agricultural imagery would have resonated deeply with Jesus' audience, making the teaching both relatable and memorable. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of discerning true from false teachings and prophets, as seen in passages like 1 <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4:1</a> and <a href="/2_peter/2.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples_and_followers.htm">Disciples and Followers</a> The primary audience of the Sermon on the Mount, representing all believers who seek to live according to Jesus' teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/f/false_prophets.htm">False Prophets</a> Implicit in the context, as Jesus warns against those who appear righteous but are inwardly corrupt. 4. <a href="/topical/t/thornbushes_and_thistles.htm">Thornbushes and Thistles</a> Metaphorical elements used by Jesus to illustrate the nature of false prophets and the impossibility of them producing good fruit. 5. <a href="/topical/f/fruits.htm">Fruits</a> Symbolic of the visible outcomes or behaviors that reveal the true nature of a person or teaching.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a> Believers must exercise discernment in evaluating spiritual leaders and teachings, ensuring they align with biblical truth. <a href="/topical/c/consistency_in_christian_living.htm">Consistency in Christian Living</a> Our actions and behaviors should consistently reflect our faith in Christ, producing good fruit as evidence of our relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_righteousness.htm">The Nature of True Righteousness</a> True righteousness is not merely external but is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_deception.htm">Guarding Against Deception</a> Be vigilant against false teachings and prophets by examining the fruits of their lives and teachings. <a href="/topical/c/cultivating_good_fruit.htm">Cultivating Good Fruit</a> Actively pursue spiritual growth and maturity through prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other believers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'know_them_by_their_fruit'.htm">What does "You Will Know Them by Their Fruit" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_ethical_consequentialism.htm">What defines consequentialism in ethical theory?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_grigori_rasputin.htm">Who was Grigori Rasputin?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_planned_parenthood_offer.htm">What does 'You Will Know Them by Their Fruit' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Ye shall know them by their fruits.--The question, What are the fruits? is not directly answered. Those who attach most importance to the ethical side of religion, see in them the practical outcome of doctrine in life, character, and deeds. Others, who live in a constant dread of heresy, dwell on doctrines rather than acts as the "fruits" by which we are to discern the false teachers and the true. Good works, they say, may be but the sheep's clothing that hides the heretic wolf. The analogy of Scriptural language, and even of that of most theologians, the familiar phrases which speak of good works as the fruits of faith and the like, are, it is believed, entirely in favour of the former view. Still more decisive are the "fruits meet for repentance" of <a href="/matthew/3-8.htm" title="Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:">Matthew 3:8</a>. We are to judge of the teaching of those who claim authority by the test of the measure in which, in the long-run, it promotes purity, peace, and holiness.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Parallel passage: <a href="/luke/6-44.htm">Luke 6:44</a>. (For the first clause, cf also ver. 20 and <a href="/matthew/12-33.htm">Matthew 12:33</a>.) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Their appearance and their claims are no proof of their true character. It may seem difficult to recognize this, yet there is a sure way of doing so, by their life. The emphasis of the sentence is on "by their fruits." Ye shall know. Ye shall come to know them to the full (ἐπιγνώσεσθε). (On the greater strength of the compound, vide Ellicott, <a href="/1_corinthians/13-12.htm">1 Corinthians 13:12</a>.) Fruits. All considered separately (cf. vers. 17, 18, 20), but in ver. 19 as one whole (cf. <a href="/matthew/3-8.htm">Matthew 3:8</a>, note). It is, however, just possible that here and in ver. 20 the plural points to fruit growing on different trees. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? The visible outgrowth reveals the nature of that which is within. Those who "profess to combine fellowship with God with the choice of darkness as their sphere of life "(Bishop Westcott, on the suggestive parallel <a href="/1_john/1-6.htm">1 John 1:6</a>) only show that within they are destitute of fellowship with God. Observe, Christ does not say, "Do thorns produce grapes," etc.? (cf. <a href="/james/3-12.htm">James 3:12</a>), but "Do men gather?" i.e. he desires to bring out the way in which men ordinarily deal with productions external to themselves. You, my followers, ought to use that common sense in spiritual matters which men show in matters of everyday life. Thistles; apparently Centaurea calcitrapa, the common thistle of Palestine; in the plains the only fuel. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/7-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>By ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. fruit καρπῶν (karpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2590.htm">Strong's 2590: </a> Probably from the base of harpazo; fruit, literally or figuratively. you will recognize ἐπιγνώσεσθε (epignōsesthe) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1921.htm">Strong's 1921: </a> From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge. them. αὐτούς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Are grapes gathered συλλέγουσιν (syllegousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4816.htm">Strong's 4816: </a> To collect, gather. From sun and lego in its original sense; to collect. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. thornbushes, ἀκανθῶν (akanthōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_173.htm">Strong's 173: </a> A thorn-bush, prickly plant; a thorn. Probably from the same as akmen; a thorn. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. figs σῦκα (syka) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4810.htm">Strong's 4810: </a> A (ripe) fig. Apparently a primary word; a fig. from ἀπὸ (apo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses. thistles? τριβόλων (tribolōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5146.htm">Strong's 5146: </a> A thistle. From treis and belos; properly, a crow-foot, i.e. a thorny plant. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 7:16 By their fruits you will know them (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 7:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/7-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 7:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 7:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>