MAT 7:15-23

A Tree and Its Fruit

15Stay constantly vigilant against the false prophets, those who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [7:16] By their fruits you will fully recognize them. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? [7:17] In the same way, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but the rotten tree produces evil fruit. [7:18] A healthy tree cannot produce evil fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit. [7:19] Every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire. [7:20] Indeed, by their fruits you will fully recognize them. [7:21] Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of the heavens — but the one doing the will of my Father in the heavens. [7:22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name do mighty acts of power?' [7:23] And then I will declare to them: I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness.

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, the metaphor of trees and their fruit was a familiar way to evaluate character and authenticity. Agricultural imagery was deeply rooted in daily life, and listeners would have understood that a tree’s nature determines its fruit—a principle applied to people’s actions and teachings. The warning against 'false prophets' reflects a concern common in Second-Temple Judaism, where itinerant teachers and charismatic figures often claimed divine authority. The imagery of wolves in sheep’s clothing underscores the danger of deception, as wolves were universally feared predators. The emphasis on 'knowing them by their fruits' suggests a call to discernment based on observable outcomes, not just words or appearances. The mention of 'mighty works' likely critiques those who perform impressive acts but lack moral integrity, a critique relevant in a culture where miracles and signs were sometimes used to validate authority. The final judgment imagery—cutting down unfruitful trees and casting them into fire—echoes prophetic warnings of divine retribution, reinforcing the seriousness of the message.

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How other translations render this

MAT 7:15

KJV: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
BSB: Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheepʼs clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Koinōnos: Stay constantly vigilant against the false prophets, those who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

MAT 7:16

KJV: Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
BSB: By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Koinōnos: By their fruits you will fully recognize them. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

MAT 7:17

KJV: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
BSB: Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Koinōnos: In the same way, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but the rotten tree produces evil fruit.

MAT 7:18

KJV: A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
BSB: A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Koinōnos: A healthy tree cannot produce evil fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit.

MAT 7:19

KJV: Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
BSB: Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Koinōnos: Every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into fire.

MAT 7:20

KJV: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
BSB: So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Koinōnos: Indeed, by their fruits you will fully recognize them.

MAT 7:21

KJV: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
BSB: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Koinōnos: Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of the heavens — but the one doing the will of my Father in the heavens.

MAT 7:22

KJV: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
BSB: Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Koinōnos: Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name do mighty acts of power?

MAT 7:23

KJV: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
BSB: Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Koinōnos: And then I will declare to them: I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work lawlessness.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 7:15

do beware:The word translated 'do beware' implies a continuous, active vigilance, a constant holding of one's mind towards something to guard against it, rather than a single, momentary warning.

MAT 7:16

you will know:The term translated 'you will know' suggests a full, experiential knowledge that comes from observation and recognition, not just intellectual understanding.

MAT 7:17

the bad:The word translated 'the bad' literally means rotten or putrid, often used for decaying fruit or wood, emphasizing its uselessness and corruption rather than just general poor quality.

MAT 7:22

miracles:The word translated 'miracles' literally means 'acts of power' or 'powerful deeds,' highlighting the inherent strength and ability behind the action rather than just the wonder of the event.