Matthew 7:15-23

A Tree and Its Fruit

15 "Beware of the ¹false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ²ravenous wolves.

16 "You will ³know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

17 "So ⁴every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 "A good tree cannot * produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

19 "⁵Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 "So then, you will know them ⁶by their fruits.

21 "⁷Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

22 "⁸Many will say to Me on ⁹that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; ¹⁰DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10
• 2. Ezekiel 22:27; John 10:12; Acts 20:29
• 3. Matthew 7:20; Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:44; James 3:12
• 4. Matthew 12:33, 35
• 5. Matthew 3:10; Luke 3:9; Luke 13:7; John 15:2, 6
• 6. Matthew 7:16; Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:44; James 3:12
• 7. Luke 6:46
• 8. Matthew 25:11; Luke 13:25f
• 9. Matthew 10:15
• 10. Psalms 6:8; Matthew 25:41; Luke 13:27

Footnotes

• [a] Or "recognize"
• [b] Lit "They do not gather"
• [c] Or "recognize"
• [d] Or "works of power"