Matthew 7:15-20

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.

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

Footnotes

• [a] Or "recognize"
• [b] Lit "They do not gather"
• [c] Or "recognize"