Matthew 7:16
What does Matthew 7:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 7:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 7:16 means
Jesus provides the primary test for identifying false prophets: 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' Just as one cannot gather sweet grapes from thorny thistles or figs from prickly plants, true spiritual character and teaching will produce good, godly results. Conversely, false prophets, despite their outward appearance, will ultimately bear corrupt fruit in their lives, teachings, and followers. This principle emphasizes that genuine faith and ministry are evidenced by tangible, positive outcomes, demanding careful observation of a person's life and impact.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By their fruits you will get knowledge of them. Do men get grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862From their fruits ye shall know them; do <FI>men<Fi> gather from thorns grapes? or from thistles figs?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890By their fruits ye shall know them. Do [men] gather a bunch of grapes from thorns, or from thistles figs?
Context
This verse immediately follows the warning about false prophets in sheep's clothing, offering the primary method for discerning their true nature. It firmly establishes the principle of 'fruit' as the reliable indicator of authenticity, moving immediately into an agricultural analogy. This clear and concise test sets the stage for Jesus to further elaborate on the nature of good and corrupt trees and their respective fruit, reinforcing the importance of observable results.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 7:20
Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
- Matthew 12:33
Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit.
- Jude 1:10
But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.
- James 3:12
can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet.
- 2 Peter 2:10
but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:
- Luke 6:43
For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit.
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