Matthew 7:18
What does Matthew 7:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 7:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 7:18 means
This verse emphatically states the impossibility of a good tree producing evil fruit, or a corrupt tree producing good fruit. It underscores the unchangeable nature of the spiritual principle: what one *is* on the inside ultimately determines what one *does* and *produces*. A truly good person, indwelt by God's Spirit, will consistently bear good fruit, while a corrupt person, without genuine righteousness, cannot produce genuinely good fruit. This truth provides a clear and consistent standard for discerning spiritual authenticity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is not possible for a good tree to give bad fruit, and a bad tree will not give good fruit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862A good tree is not able to yield evil fruits, nor a bad tree to yield good fruits.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890A good tree cannot produce bad fruits, nor a worthless tree produce good fruits.
Context
This verse provides a crucial, absolute statement that deepens the understanding of the 'fruit' analogy. It firmly closes off any possibility of ambiguity, asserting that the nature of the tree perfectly determines the nature of the fruit. This unalterable principle reinforces the reliability of the 'fruit' test, leading directly to the consequence for those who fail to bear good fruit, further emphasizing the seriousness of Jesus' teaching.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
- 1 John 3:9
Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.
Related questions readers ask
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Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 7
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