Matthew 7:16-20
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Jesus isn't just asking about whether a thorny bush can produce grapes; he's pointing out that no one would ever expect it to. We instinctively know that a plant's fruit reveals its true nature, so don't look at outward appearances or clever words from teachers – look at the actual, consistent results of their lives and teachings to know who they really are.
You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just warned his followers about false prophets who disguise themselves as sheep but are inwardly predators. He's urging them to be discerning, not easily deceived by outward appearances or smooth words. This verse provides the practical way to tell the difference: by looking at the results, or "fruits," of their lives and teachings.
Jesus doesn't just want us to guess or have a hunch about people's spiritual authenticity. He gives us a clear way to know.
The Greek word Jesus uses here, epignōsis, means more than just 'knowing.' It implies a full, deep, and certain knowledge – a recognition that comes from detailed observation and understanding. It's like getting to know someone so well that you can't be fooled by superficial appearances.
This isn't about being judgmental or gossiping. It's about discerning truth from deception, especially when it comes to those who claim spiritual authority. Jesus is saying that true character, whether good or bad, will eventually reveal itself through consistent patterns of behavior.
It's easy to be impressed by spiritual-sounding words or a charming personality. But Jesus points us to something more tangible.
When Jesus talks about 'fruits,' he's not primarily talking about doctrines or beliefs, though those are important. The commentators emphasize that 'fruits' refer to the 'works' or the overall 'behavior' that flows from a person's inner being. Think of it like this: a healthy tree naturally produces fruit; a person whose inner life is aligned with God naturally produces actions and a way of living that reflects that.
The images of grapes from thornbushes and figs from thistles highlight the absurdity of expecting good from a bad source. The core of who someone is – their inner disposition, their spiritual 'sap' – will inevitably manifest in what they do. It's the consistent pattern of life, the outward expression of their inward reality, that serves as the reliable indicator.
Understand the original words
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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.
agathos · Greek Adjective
Used metaphorically to describe a person's inner moral or spiritual condition. A healthy tree represents a person regenerated by God, producing righteous deeds.
sapros · Greek Adjective
Refers to moral or spiritual corruption. In this context, it describes the inner state of those who are spiritually dead or hypocritical, inevitably resulting in sinful conduct.
pyr · Greek Noun
A figure of speech for judgment, divine wrath, or the final destruction of the wicked. It represents the inevitable end of those who do not produce fruit consistent with repentance.
This passage is the parallel account in Luke's Gospel and reinforces Jesus' point that good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit, directly linking a person's inner nature to their outward actions.
Matthew 12:33-35Here, Jesus connects the 'fruit' of a tree to the 'words' of a person, emphasizing that what fills our hearts will inevitably overflow from our mouths, revealing our true character.
Galatians 5:19-23This passage explicitly lists the 'works of the flesh' and the 'fruit of the Spirit,' providing tangible examples of the good and bad 'fruits' that reveal a person's spiritual allegiance.
1 John 4:1John urges believers to 'test the spirits to see whether they are from God,' implying that discernment is necessary and that outward 'fruits' are the means by which we can evaluate spiritual claims.
Jeremiah 17:9-10This Old Testament prophecy speaks to the deceptive nature of the human heart and God's role in searching it, paralleling Jesus' teaching that true character, though hidden, will ultimately be revealed by its actions.
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 asking about whether a thorny bush can produce grapes; he's pointing out that no one would ever expect it to. We instinctively know that a plant's fruit reveals its true nature, so don't look at outward appearances or clever words from teachers – look at the actual, consistent results of their lives and teachings to know who they really are.
Jesus has just warned his followers about false prophets who disguise themselves as sheep but are inwardly predators. He's urging them to be discerning, not easily deceived by outward appearances or smooth words. This verse provides the practical way to tell the difference: by looking at the results, or "fruits," of their lives and teachings.
Jesus has just warned his followers about false prophets who disguise themselves as sheep but are inwardly predators. He's urging them to be discerning, not easily deceived by outward appearances or smooth words. This verse provides the practical way to tell the difference: by looking at the results, or "fruits," of their lives and teachings.
"You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased…" — Jesus isn't just asking about whether a thorny bush can produce grapes; he's pointing out that no one would ever expect it to. We instinctively know that a plant's fruit reveals its true nature,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
