Matthew 7:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

NIV: Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

NASB: So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

CSB: In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.

NLT: A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.

KJV: Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

NKJV: Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Jesus is warning His listeners to beware of false prophets. They may look like sheep, but they're actually hungry wolves. The way to properly identify them is by their fruit: what grows from their lives and teaching. Grapes don't grow on thorn bushes, and figs don't spring from thistle plants (Matthew 7:15–16). In the same way, legitimate spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22–24) comes from a true believer.

Christ clarifies that point even further, here. Healthy trees bear good fruit, sick trees bear bad fruit. That law of nature is true of people, as well as trees. "Healthy" prophets and teachers demonstrate through their lives and character that they are authentic messengers of God (1 John 4:1).

Jesus' words here are close to what John the Baptist said to the Pharisees: "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:7–8). Jesus has also challenged the teaching and practice of the Pharisees throughout the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:20).

Matthew 7:15–23 contains a two-sided warning about false believers. A religious leader may appear respectable and wise, but you must look at the fruit of his life in order to know if he truly represents God. In the same way, it's possible for a person to claim to follow Jesus, referring to Him as "Lord," when they are not true believers. Only those who do the will of the Father will be allowed into the kingdom of heaven—which Jesus defines as beginning with true belief (John 6:28–29). Our good works might fool other people, and might even fool ourselves, but they cannot fool God.

Matthew 7 is the last of three chapters that record what is now known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus commands His hearers not to pronounce shallow or hypocritical judgment. He describes God as a generous Father eager to give good things to His children when they ask. He commands His followers to enter the narrow gate and walk the hard road to life. False prophets can be recognized by their fruit, meaning their actions and choices. At the same time, good deeds are not absolute proof that someone has true faith. To live by Jesus' teaching is like building the house of your life on a solid foundation instead of shifting sand.

Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 5, discussing the Beatitudes and the idea that inner thoughts are very much part of sin and righteousness. Chapter 6 denounced hypocrisy, modeled prayer, and opposed anxiety. Chapter 7 discusses the proper manner of judgment, including how to gauge the teachings of others. Jesus also warns against spiritual self-deception. He concludes with an analogy about foundations and storms. The crowd's amazement at Christ's teachings leads into the miracles and encounters of chapters 8 and 9.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/3/2024 1:18:11 AM