Matthew 7:16

16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:16 in Other Translations

KJV
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
ESV
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
NLT
16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
MSG
16 Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
CSB
16 You'll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:16 In-Context

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:44
  • 2. James 3:12
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