You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just saying that bad trees produce bad fruit; he's pointing out that you have the common sense to know what kind of plant produces what kind of fruit. So, don't get fooled by appearances; use your everyday discernment to recognize that certain outward expressions simply cannot come from a good source.
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just warned his followers about false prophets who look harmless on the outside but are dangerous inwardly. He then explains that their true nature will be revealed not by their appealing words or outward appearance, but by the lasting impact and character of their lives and teachings, just as you can't get grapes from a thorny bush.
Jesus warns us about those who look harmless but are dangerous. How can we discern the true from the false?
Jesus begins this section with a stark warning: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Matthew 7:15). This imagery is powerful! Imagine a wolf, a predator, disguised in soft wool. It’s designed to deceive. The danger isn’t just in their outward appearance, but in their inner nature. They aren't just mistaken; they are inwardly predatory, aiming to harm the flock.
This isn't about spotting someone who is simply struggling or imperfect. It's about identifying those whose core intentions and character are harmful to the spiritual well-being of others. Their danger lies in their disguise.
We're told to look for 'fruits,' but what exactly does that mean? It's not just about what people say.
Jesus gives us the definitive test: 'You will recognize them by their fruits.' (Matthew 7:16). The original Greek word here, 'epignōseσthe', implies a deeper, full knowledge – not just a superficial glance. This knowledge comes from observing their 'fruits.'
What are these fruits? They are the results and outward expressions of a person's inner principles and character. They are their actions, their conduct, their entire way of living – essentially, 'works of any kind.' While doctrines are important, Jesus emphasizes that the fruits are the true indicators of a person's spiritual state. Beautiful flowers or thick leaves might be attractive, but it's the fruit that reveals the tree's true nature and value.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus uses a simple, everyday observation to expose a profound spiritual truth. Why is it impossible to mistake a thornbush for a grape vine?
To make the point crystal clear, Jesus uses a rhetorical question that anyone, anywhere, could understand: 'Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?' (Matthew 7:16). Nature itself doesn't work this way. You can't expect a thornbush, by its very nature, to produce sweet grapes. Likewise, a thistle, with its prickly disposition, will never yield a juicy fig.
This is the core logic Jesus applies to false prophets. Their outward actions and teachings will inevitably reflect their inner nature. If someone claims to represent God but consistently produces actions that are harmful, self-serving, or contrary to God's character, it's like expecting figs from thistles. Their outward 'fruit' simply doesn't match the source they claim to represent. Jesus is asking us to use the common sense God has given us to evaluate spiritual claims.
Understand the original words
epiginōskō · Greek Verb
To identify, distinguish, or perceive the nature of something or someone. In this context, it refers to the spiritual discernment required to identify true believers from false prophets.
karpos · Greek Noun
The external actions, character, or results produced by a person's life. In a theological sense, it refers to the evidence of the Holy Spirit's transforming work within a believer.
akantha · Greek Noun
A prickly or thorny plant; metaphorically used in Scripture to represent something worthless, unproductive, or indicative of the curse of the Fall.
tribolos · Greek Noun
A plant species noted for its prickly nature, often symbolic of unproductive labor or the consequences of living apart from God's blessing.
This passage directly connects the quality of a tree to its fruit, stating that a good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit, echoing the same natural analogy Jesus uses in Matthew 7:16.
Luke 6:44This parallel account in Luke uses the same imagery of gathering grapes from thorns and figs from thistles, reinforcing the core idea that outward actions (fruits) reveal the true nature (tree) of a person or prophet.
Galatians 5:22-23This passage lists the 'fruit of the Spirit,' contrasting it with the 'works of the flesh,' and shows how genuine spiritual character manifests in specific, observable qualities, similar to how 'fruits' are evidence in Matthew 7:16.
1 John 4:1This verse warns believers to test the spirits and discern truth from falsehood, providing a direct command to apply the principle Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:16 – that of judging by observable evidence rather than mere claims.
vincentMatthew 7:16: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
Ye shall know (ἐπιγνώσεσθε)The compound verb indicates full knowledge. Character is satisfactorily tested by its fruits.
clarkeMatthew 7:16: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
Ye shall know them by their fruits - Fruits, in the Scripture and Jewish phraseology, are taken for works of any kind. "A man's works," says one, "are the tongue of his heart, and tell honestly whether he is inwardly corrupt or pure." By these works you may distinguish (επιγνωσεσθε) these ravenous wolves from true pastors. The judgment formed of a man by his general conduct is a safe one: if…
Jesus isn't just saying that bad trees produce bad fruit; he's pointing out that you have the common sense to know what kind of plant produces what kind of fruit. So, don't get fooled by appearances; use your everyday discernment to recognize that certain outward expressions simply cannot come from a good source.
Jesus has just warned his followers about false prophets who look harmless on the outside but are dangerous inwardly. He then explains that their true nature will be revealed not by their appealing words or outward appearance, but by the lasting impact and character of their lives and teachings, just as you can't get grapes from a thorny bush.
Jesus has just warned his followers about false prophets who look harmless on the outside but are dangerous inwardly. He then explains that their true nature will be revealed not by their appealing words or outward appearance, but by the lasting impact and character of their lives and teachings, just as you can't get grapes from a thorny bush.
"You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" — Jesus isn't just saying that bad trees produce bad fruit; he's pointing out that you have the common sense to know what kind of plant produces what kind of fruit. So, don't get fooled by appearance…
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Last reviewed October 2026