Matthew 7:17

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Matthew 7:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Even so, every good tree gives good fruit; but the bad tree gives evil fruit.

Free Bible Version FBV

So every good tree produces good fruit, while a bad tree produces bad fruit.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So euery good tree bringeth foorth good fruite, and a corrupt tree bringeth forth euill fruite.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

so every good tree doth yield good fruits, but the bad tree doth yield evil fruits.

World English Bible WEB

Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Translation for Translators T4T

Here is another example: All good fruit trees produce good fruit, but all unhealthy trees produce worthless fruit.

Plain English Version PEV

Good fruit grows on a good tree. Rubbish fruit grows on a rubbish tree.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 7:17

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 7:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ουτως παν δενδρον αγαθον καρπους καλους ποιει το δε σαπρον δενδρον καρπους πονηρους ποιει

ουτως ohutō, ohutōs G3779 thus(-ly) Adv

παν pas G3956 all Adj-NSN

δενδρον dendron G1186 tree Noun-NSN

αγαθον agathos G18 good Adj-NSN

καρπους karpos G2590 fruit Noun-APM

καλους kalos G2570 Fair (Havens) Adj-APM

ποιει poieō G4160 to do/make: do Verb-PAI-3S

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN

δε de G1161 then Conj

σαπρον sapros G4550 rotten Adj-NSN

δενδρον dendron G1186 tree Noun-NSN

καρπους karpos G2590 fruit Noun-APM

πονηρους ponēros G4190 evil/bad Adj-APM

ποιει poieō G4160 to do/make: do Verb-PAI-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 7:17

ουτως ohutō, ohutōs G3779 "thus(-ly)" Adv

Thus means in this way or like this, as when Jesus teaches us to pray in Matthew 5:16 and Luke 1:25.

Definition: οὕτως, rarely (Bl., §5, 4; WH, App., 146f.) οὕτω, adv. (οὗτος), [in LXX chiefly for כֵּן ;] in this way, so, thus; __1. referring to what precedes: Mat.5:16 6:30, Mrk.10:43 14:59, Luk.1:25 2:48 15:7, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:15, 1Co.8:12, al.; οὕτως καί, Mat.17:12, Mrk.13:29, al.; pleonastically, resuming a ptcp. (cl.; see Bl., §74, 6), Act.20:11 27:17. __2. Referring to what follows: Mat.1:18 6:9, Luk.19:31, Jhn.21:1, 1Pe.2:15; bef. quotations from OT, Mat.2:5, Act.7:6, 1Co.15:45, Heb.4:4. __3. C. adj. (marking intensity): Heb.12:21, Rev.16:18; similarly with adv., Gal.1:6 (cl.). __4. As a predicate (Bl., §76, 1): Mat.1:18 9:33, Mrk.2:1, 2 4:26, Rom.4:18 9:20, I Pe 2:15; οὕ ἔχειν (Lat. sic or ita se habere), Act.7:1, al.; ἐκαθέζετο (as he was, without delay or preparation), Jhn.4:6. __5. In comparison, with correlative adv.: καθάπερ . . . οὕ., Rom.12:4, 5 al.; καθὼς . . . οὕ., Luk.11:30, al.; οὕ. . . . καθώς, Luk.24:24, al.; ὡς . . . οὕ., Rom.5:15, al.; οὕ . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, al; ὥσπερ . . . οὕ., Mat.12:40, al.; οὕ. . . . οὕ., 1Co.7:7. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 206 NT verses. KJV: after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; James 3:10; 1 Peter 2:15.

παν pas G3956 "all" Adj-NSN

This word means all or every, as in Matthew 3:10 and Romans 7:8, where it refers to everything or all people, emphasizing the universal nature of God's message.

Definition: πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν, genitive, παντός, πάσης, παντός, [in LXX chiefly for כֹּל ;] all, every. __I. As adj., __1. with subst. anarth., all, every, of every kind: Mat.3:10 4:23, Mrk.9:49, Luk.4:37, Jhn.2:1o, Act.27:20, Rom.7:8, Rev.18:17, al. mult.; pl., all, Act.22:15, Rom.5:12, Heb.1:6, al.; of the highest degree, π. ἐξουσία (προθυμία, χαρά), Mat.28:18, Act.17:11, Phi 2:29, al.; also the whole (though in this sense more frequently with art.), Mat.2:3, Act.2:36, Rom.11:26. __2. C. art. (before the art., after the noun, or, denoting totality, between the art. and noun), all, whole: Mat.8:32 13:2, Mrk.5:33, Luk.1:10, Act.7:14, Rom.3:19, Gal.5:14, Eph.4:16, al.; pl., Mat.2:4, Mrk.4:13, Rom.1:5, al. __II. As pron., __1. masc. and fem., every one: Mrk.9:49, Luk.16:16, Heb.2:9; before rel. pron., Mat.7:24, Act.2:21, Gal.3:10, al.; with ptcp. (anarth.), Mat.13:19, Luk.11:4; with ptcp. (with art.), Mat.5:22, Mrk.7:8, Luk.6:47, Jhn.3:8, Rom.1:16, al.; pl., πάντες, absol., all, all men, Mat.10:22, Mrk.13:13, Luk.20:38, Jhn.1:7 3:26, 1Co.8:1, al.; οἱ π. (collectively, as a definite whole), Rom.11:32, 1Co.1:17, Eph.4:13, al.; π. οἱ (ὅσοι), Mat.4:24, Mrk.1:32, Luk.4:40, al. __2. Neut., __(a) sing., πᾶν, everything, all: πᾶν τό, with ptcp., 1Co.10:25, 27, Eph.5:13, 1Jn.2:16 5:4 (sc. ὄν); πᾶν ὅ, Jhn.17:2, Rom.14:23; collectively, of persons (Westc., in l.), Jhn.6:37, 39; with prep., in adverbial phrases, διὰ παντός, always, Mat.18:10, al.; ἐν παντί, in everything, in every way, 2Co.4:8, Phi 4:6, al.; __(b) pl., πάτνα, all things: absol., Jhn.1:3, 1Co.2:10, Heb.2:8, al.; of certain specified things, Mrk.4:34, Luk.1:3, Rom.8:28, 1Th.5:21, al.; accusative, πάντα, adverbially, wholly, in all things, in all respects, Act.20:35, 1Co.9:25, al.; with art., τὰ π., all things (a totality, as distinct from anarth. πάντα, all things severally; cf. Westc, Eph., 186f.), absol.: Rom.11:36, 1Co.8:6, Eph.3:9, Heb.1:3, al.; relatively, Mrk.4:11, Act.17:25, Rom.8:32, al.; πάντα, with ptcp., Mat.18:31, al.; πάντα ταῦτα (ταῦτα π.), Mat.6:32, 33, al.; πάντα, with prep, in adverbial phrases, πρὸ πάντων, above all things, Jas.5:12, 1Pe.4:8; ἐν π́, in all things, in all ways, 1Ti.3:11, 1Pe.4:11, al.; κατὰ πάντα, in all respects, Act.17:22, al. __3. C. neg., πᾶς οὐ (μή) = οὐδείς, see: οὐ and μή, and cf. M, Pr., 245f. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1080 NT verses. KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 1:15.

δενδρον dendron G1186 "tree" Noun-NSN

A tree is a plant with a trunk and branches, like the ones mentioned in Matthew 3:10 and Luke 6:43, often used to symbolize good or bad actions.

Definition: δένδρον, -ου, τό [in LXX for עֵץ, etc. ;] a tree: Mat.3:10, al.; δ. ἀγαθόν, Mat.7:17, 18; δ. καλόν, Mat.12:33, Luk.6:43; δ. σαπρόν, Mat.7:17, 18 12:33, Luk.6:43; γίνεσθαι δ., Mat.13:32; γ. εἰς δ., Luk.13:19. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 19 NT verses. KJV: tree See also: Jude 1:12; Matthew 7:17; Revelation 7:1.

αγαθον agathos G18 "good" Adj-NSN

Good or beneficial, as seen in Luke 8:8 where it describes good soil producing a good crop. This word means something that is pleasant, useful, or morally good. In the Bible, it is used to describe things that are pleasing to God and beneficial to people.

Definition: ἀγαθός, -ή, -όν, [in LXX chiefly for טוֹב ;] in general, good, in physical and in moral sense, used of persons, things, acts, conditions, etc., applied to that which is regarded as "perfect in its kind, so as to produce pleasure and satisfaction, . . . that which, in itself good, is also at once for the good and the advantage of him who comes in contact with it" (Cremer, 3): γῆ, Luk.8:8; δένδρον, Mat.7:18; καρδία, Luk.8:15; δόσις, Jas.1:17; μέρις, Luk.10:42; ἔργον (frequently in Pl.), Php.1:6; ἐλπίς, 2Th.2:16; θησαυρός, Mat.12:35; μνεία, 1Th.3:6 (cf. 2Ma.7:20); as subst., τὸ ἀ, that which is morally good, beneficial, acceptable to God, Rom.12:2; ἐργάζεσθαι τὸ ἀ, Rom.2:10, Eph.4:28; πράσσειν, Rom.9:11, 2Co.5:10; διώκειν, 1Th.5:15; μιμεῖσθαι, III Jo 11; κολλᾶσθαι τῷ ἀ, Rom.12:9; ερωτᾶν περὶ τοῦ ἀ., Mat.19:17; διάκονος εἰς τὸ ἀ., Rom.13:4; τὸ ἀ. σου, thy favour, benefit, Phm 14; pl., τὰ ἀ., of goods, possessions, Luk.12:18; of spiritual benefits, Rom.10:15, Heb.9:11, 10:1. ἀ is opposite to πονηρός, Mat.5:45, 20:5; κακός, Rom.7:19; φαῦλος, Rom.9:11, 2Co.5:10 (cf. MM, VGT, see word). SYN.: καλός, δίκαιος. κ. properly refers to goodliness as manifested in form: ἀ. to inner excellence (cf. the cl. καλὸς κἀγαθός and ἐν καρδία κ. καὶ ἀ., Luk.8:15). In Rom.5:7, where it is contrasted with δ., ἀ. implies a kindliness and attractiveness not necessarily possessed by the δίκαιος, who merely measures up to a high standard of rectitude (cf. ἀγαθωσύνη). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: benefit, good(-s, things), well See also: 1 Peter 2:18; Luke 16:25; 1 Peter 3:10.

καρπους karpos G2590 "fruit" Noun-APM

Fruit refers to the product of something, like a tree or a person's actions, as in Matthew 12:33 and 21:19. It can be literal or figurative, representing the results of our labor.

Definition: καρπός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for פְּרִי ;] fruit: of trees, Mat.12:33 21:19, Mrk.11:14, Luk.6:44 13:6-7; of vines, Mat.21:34, Mrk.12:2, Luk.20:10, 1Co.9:7; of fields, Mrk.4:29, Luk.12:17, 2Ti.2:6, Jas.5:7; βλαστάνειν, Jas.5:18; ποιεῖν (cf. Heb. פְּרִי עָשָׂה), Mat.3:10 7:17-19 13:26, Luk.3:9 6:43 8:8 13:9, Rev.22:2; διδόναι, Mat.13:8, Mrk.4:7-8; φέρειν, Mat.7:18, Jhn.12:24 15:2, 4-5 15:8, 16; ἀποδιδόναι, Mat.21:41, Rev.22:2; ὁ κ. τ. κοιλίας (בֶּטֶן פְּרִי, Deu.28:4), Luk.1:42; τ. ὀσφύος (Gen.30:2, al.), Act.2:30. Metaphorical, __(a) of works, deeds: Mat.3:8 7:16, 20 21:43, Luk.3:8, Jhn.15:3, 16; τ. πνεύματος, Gal.5:22; τ. φωτός, Eph.5:9; τ. δικαιοσύνης, Php.1:11; σφραγίζεσθαι τὸν κ. (Deiss., BS, 238 f.), Rom.15:28; κ. ἀγαθοί, Jas.3:17; __(b) of advantage, profit: Php.1:22 4:17; ἔχειν, Rom.1:13 6:21-22. συνάγειν, Jhn.4:36; κ. τ. δικαιοσύνης, Heb.12:11, Jas.3:18; of praise, καρπὸν χειλέων (Hos.14:2, al.; cf. Æsch., Eum., 830): Heb.13:15.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 56 NT verses. KJV: fruit See also: 1 Corinthians 9:7; Luke 20:10; Hebrews 12:11.

καλους kalos G2570 "Fair (Havens)" Adj-APM

Something or someone that is kalos is fair, beautiful, or good, like the stones in Luke 21:5 or the fish in Matthew 13:48.

Definition: καλός, -ή, -όν, [in LXX chiefly for טוֹבָה ,טוֹב, also for יָפֶה, etc. ;] __1. primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the essence," Cremer, 339), fair, beautiful: λίθοι (BV, goodly), Luk.21:5. __2. In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its ends, good, excellent: of fish, τ. καλά (opposite to σαπρά), Mat.13:48; σπέρμα, Mat.13:24, 27, 37, 38; καρπός, Mat.3:10 7:17-19 12:33, Luk.3:9 [WH] 6:43; δένδρον (opposite to σαρπόν), Mat.12:33, Luk.6:43; γῆ, Mat.13:8, 23 Mrk.4:8, 20 Luk.8:15; τ. ἅλας, Mrk.9:50, Luk.14:34; ὁ νόμος, Rom.7:16, 1Ti.1:8; διδασκαλία, 1Ti.4:6; καρδία κ. καὶ ἀγαθή, Luk.8:15; παραθήκη, 2Ti.1:14; μέτρον, Luk.6:38; βαθμός, 1Ti.3:13; θεμέλιος, 1Ti.6:19; τὸ κ., 1Th.5:21; μαργαρίται, Mat.13:45; οἶνος, Jhn.2:10; ποιμήν, Jhn.10:11, 14; διάκονος, 1Ti.4:6; οἰκονόμος, 1Pe.4:10; στρατιώτης, 2Ti.2:3; στρατεία, 1Ti.1:18; ἀγών, 1Ti.6:12, 2Ti.4:7; ὁμολογία, 1Ti.6:12, 13; ἔργον, Mat.26:10, Mrk.14:6, Jhn.10:33, 1Ti.3:1; pl., Jhn.10:32; καλόν, with inf. and dative, Mat.18:8, 9 1Co.7:1, 26 9:15; id. with accusative and inf., Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, 43, 45, 47, Luk.9:33, Heb.13:9; before εἰ, Mat.26:24, Mrk.9:42 14:21; ἐάν, 1Co.7:8. __3. Ethically, good, in the sense of right, fair, noble, honourable: Gal.4:18, Heb.5:14; ἔργα, Mat.5:16, 1Ti.5:10, 25 6:18, Tit.2:7, 14 3:8, 14 (Field, Notes, 223f.), Heb.10:24, 1Pe.2:12; ἀναστροφή, Jas.3:13, 1Pe.2:12; συνείδησις, Heb.13:18; before ἐνώπιον, Rom.12:17, 2Co.8:21, 1Ti.2:3; το] κ. ποιεῖν (κατεργάζεσθαι), Rom.7:18, 21 2Co.13:7, Gal.6:9, Jas.4:17; καλόν ἐστιν, with inf., Mat.15:26 (T, ἔξεστιν), Mrk.7:27, Rom.14:21, Gal.4:18; μαρτυρία, 1Ti.3:7; ὄνομα, Jas.2:7; καύχημα, 1Co.5:6 (neg.); θεοῦ ῥῆμα, Heb.6:5. κ. does not occur in Re.† SYN.: see: ἀγαθός. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy See also: 1 Corinthians 5:6; Luke 6:43; 1 Peter 2:12.

ποιει poieō G4160 "to do/make: do" Verb-PAI-3S

This word means to make or do something, and it's used in a very broad sense. It can mean to create, produce, or cause something to happen. In the Bible, it's often used to describe God's creative power, like in Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6.

Definition: ποιέω, -ῶ, [in LXX for a great variety of words, but chiefly for עשׂה ;] __1. to make, produce, create, cause: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.9:11, Act.9:39, Rom.9:20, al.; of God as Creator (with accusative of person(s) also), Mat.19:4, Mrk.10:6, Luk.11:40, Act.4:24, Heb.1:2, al.; like Heb. עשׂה, absol. = ἐργάζομαι, to work, Mat.20:12 (cf. Rut.2:19; so AV, but see infr.), Rev.13:5, R, mg. (but see infr.); σκάνδαλα, Rom.16:17; εἰρεήνην, Eph.2:15, Jas.3:18; ἐπίστασιν, Act.24:12; συστροφήν, Act.23:12; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Luk.1:68, Act.15:3; with nouns expressing action or its accomplishment, forming a periphr. for the cogn. verb: ὁδόν π. (cl. ὁ ποιεῖσθαι), to go on, advance, Mrk.2:23; πόλεμον, Rev.11:7, al.; ἐκδίκησιν, Luk.18:7, 8; ἐνέδραν, Act.25:3; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:27, Ju 15; ἔργα, Jhn.5:36, al.; (σημεῖα), Jhn.2:23 and freq., Act.2:22, al.; so also mid. ποιεῖσθαι: μονήν, Jhn.14:23; πορείαν, Luk.13:22; κοινωνίαν, Rom.15:26; of food, to make ready, prepare: δεῖπνον, Mrk.6:21, al.; δοχήν, Luk.5:29 14:13; γάμους, Mat.22:2; of time, to spend (cl.): ὥραν, Mat.20:12, RV (but see supr. and cf. McN, in l.); μῆνας, Rev.13:5, R, txt. (cf. Swete, in l.; but see supr.); ἐνιαυτόν, Jas.4:13; with accusative before ἐκ, Jhn.2:15, al.; with accusative and accusative pred., Mat.3:3 12:16, Mrk.1:3 3:12, Jhn.5:11, al.; with adv., καλῶς, Mrk.7:37; ἑορτὴν π. (Dem., Exo.23:16, al.), Act.18:21, Rec.; πάσχα, Mat.26:18; to make or offer a sacrifice (Plat., Xen., al.; Job.42:8, 3Ki.11:33; so some understand τοῦτο ποιεῖτε, Luk.22:19, but see Abbott, Essays, 110ff.); before ἵνα (WM, 422f.; M, Pr., 228), Jhn.11:37, Col.4:16, Rev.3:9. __2. to do, perform, carry out, execute: absol., with adv., καλῶς π., Mat.12:12, 1Co.7:37, 38 Jas.2:19; id. before ptcp. (cl.; see M, Pr., 228), Act.10:33, Php.4:14, 2Pe.1:19, 3Jo.6; οὕτως, Mat.24:46, Luk.9:15, al.; ὡς (καθώς), Mat.1:24 2:16, al.; ὁμοίως, Luk.3:11; ὡσαύτως, Mat.20:5; with ptcp., ἀγνοῶν ἐποίησα, 1Ti.1:13; with accusative of thing(s): τί interrog., Mat.12:3, Mrk.2:25, Luk.6:2, al.; τοῦτο, Mat.13:28, Mrk.5:32, Luk.22:19 (WH om.; see supr., ref. to Abbott, Essays), Rom.7:20, al.; with nouns expressing command or regulation: τ. νόμον (not as in cl., to make a law), Jhn.7:19, Gal.5:3 (cf. in LXX, Jos.22:5, 1Ch.22:12, al.); τ. ἐντολάς, Mat.5:19; similarly with other nouns expressing conduct: τ. δικαιοσύνην, Mat.6:1, al.; τ. ἀλήθειαν, Jhn.3:21, al., etc.; with dupl. accusative, Mat.27:22, Mrk.15:12; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s) (commod., incomm.; rare in cl.), Mat.7:12, Mrk.5:19, 20 Luk.1:49, Jhn.9:26, al. SYN.: πράσσω, which see The general distinction between the two words is that between particular action and its habitual performance (cf. Tr., Syn., §xcvi; Westc. on Jhn.3:21; ICC on Rom.1:32). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 519 NT verses. KJV: abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 5:2; Acts 21:13; 1 Peter 2:22.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

σαπρον sapros G4550 "rotten" Adj-NSN

The Greek word for rotten or worthless, used to describe bad fruit or worthless talk, as seen in Matthew 7:17-18 and Ephesians 4:29.

Definition: σαπρός, -ά -όν [in Sm.: Lev.27:14, 33 * ;] rotten, corrupt, bad, worthless: of trees and fruit (opposite to ἀγαθός, καλός), Mat.7:17-18 12:33 Luk.6:43; of fish, Mat.13:48. Metaphorical, in moral sense: λόγος σ., Eph.4:29. "In Hellenistic . . . it became a synonym for αἰσχρός or κακός," MM, xxii.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: bad, corrupt See also: Ephesians 4:29; Matthew 7:18; Matthew 13:48.

δενδρον dendron G1186 "tree" Noun-NSN

A tree is a plant with a trunk and branches, like the ones mentioned in Matthew 3:10 and Luke 6:43, often used to symbolize good or bad actions.

Usage: Occurs in 19 NT verses. KJV: tree See also: Jude 1:12; Matthew 7:17; Revelation 7:1.

καρπους karpos G2590 "fruit" Noun-APM

Fruit refers to the product of something, like a tree or a person's actions, as in Matthew 12:33 and 21:19. It can be literal or figurative, representing the results of our labor.

Usage: Occurs in 56 NT verses. KJV: fruit See also: 1 Corinthians 9:7; Luke 20:10; Hebrews 12:11.

πονηρους ponēros G4190 "evil/bad" Adj-APM

The Greek word for evil or bad, describing something that causes harm or is morally wrong, used in the New Testament to describe people and things, like in Matthew 7:11 and Ephesians 5:16.

Definition: πονηρός, -ά, -όν (πονέω, to toil), [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] __1. __(a) of persons, oppressed by toils (Hes.); __(b) of things, toilsome, painful (καιρός, Sir.51:12): Eph.5:16 6:13 Rev.16:2. __2. bad, worthless; __(a) in physical sense: καρπός, Mat.7:17-18; __(b) in ethical sense, bad, evil, wicked; __(α) of persons: Mat.7:11 12:34-35 18:32 25:26, Luk.6:45 11:13 19:22, Act.17:5, 2Th.3:2, 2Ti.3:13; γενεά, Mat.12:39, 45 16:4, Luk.11:29; πνεῦμια, Mat.12:45, Luk.7:21 8:2 11:26, Act.19:12-13, 15-16; as subst., οἱ π., opposite to δίκαιοι, Mat.13:49; to ἀγαθοί, Mat.5:45 22:10; οἱ ἀχάριστοι καὶ π., Luk.6:35; sing., ὁ π., Mat.5:39, 1Co.5:13; id. esp. of Satan, the evil one, Mat.5:37 6:13 (see Lft., Notes, 125 ff.; but cf. McN, in l) Mat.13:19, 38, Luk.11:4 (WH, R, om.), Jhn.17:15, Eph.6:16, 2Th.3:3 (Lft., Notes, l.with), 1Jn.2:13-14 Jn 3:12 Jn 5:18-19; __(β) of things: Mat.5:11 12:35 15:19, Luk.6:22, 45, Jhn.3:19 7:7, Act.18:14 25:18, Gal.1:4, Col.1:21, 1Ti.6:4, 2Ti.4:18, Heb.3:12 10:22, Jas.2:4 4:16, 1Jn.3:12, II Jn 11, 3Jn.10; ὀφθαλμός (which see), Mat.6:23 20:15, Mrk.7:22, Luk.11:34; as subst., neut., τὸ π., Act.28:21, 1Th.5:22; opposite to ἀγαθόν, Luk.6:45, Rom.12:9; pl., Mat.9:4, Mrk.7:23, Luk.3:19. † SYN.: see: ἄθεσμος (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 72 NT verses. KJV: bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness) See also: 1 Corinthians 5:13; Luke 6:45; Hebrews 3:12.

ποιει poieō G4160 "to do/make: do" Verb-PAI-3S

Study Notes — Matthew 7:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 7:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 7:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 7:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 7:17
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 7:17
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 7:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 7:17
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 7:17
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 7:17
Sermons on Matthew 7:17

Context — A Tree and Its Fruit

15Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

17Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 12:33–35	Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.
2	Galatians 5:22–24	But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
3	Ephesians 5:9	for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
4	Psalms 1:3	He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.
5	Psalms 92:13–14	Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,
6	Colossians 1:10	so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
7	Jeremiah 17:8	He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.
8	Luke 13:6–9	Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. But if not, you can cut it down.’”
9	James 3:17–18	But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
10	Philippians 1:11	filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Matthew 7:17 Summary

This verse teaches us that the kind of tree we are determines the kind of fruit we will produce. If we are a 'good tree', following God and living according to His ways, we will produce good fruit, such as love, kindness, and patience (as seen in Galatians 5:22-23). On the other hand, if we are a 'bad tree', living in sin and disobedience, we will produce bad fruit, like hatred, jealousy, and selfishness. By looking at the fruit in our lives and in the lives of others, we can get an idea of what kind of tree we are and make changes to become more like Christ, as encouraged in Romans 8:29.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for a tree to bear good or bad fruit in Matthew 7:17?

In this context, the tree represents a person's life, and the fruit represents the actions and character that come from it, as seen in Matthew 7:16 where it says 'By their fruit you will recognize them' and also in Galatians 5:22-23 where the fruit of the Spirit is listed.

Can a good tree ever produce bad fruit?

According to Matthew 7:18, a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, emphasizing the consistency of a person's character and actions, similar to what is taught in James 3:12 where it talks about a fountain not being able to produce both fresh and salty water.

What is the purpose of recognizing good and bad fruit in others?

Recognizing the fruit in others helps us to discern false prophets and genuine followers of God, as warned in Matthew 7:15, and to surround ourselves with people who will positively influence our spiritual walk, as encouraged in Proverbs 27:17.

How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?

This verse reminds us that our actions and character have consequences, and as followers of Christ, we should strive to produce good fruit, as taught in Colossians 1:10, and to be mindful of the company we keep, as advised in 1 Corinthians 15:33.

Reflection Questions

What kind of fruit am I producing in my life, and how can I ensure it is good?
How can I discern the fruit in others, especially in leaders or mentors?
What are some practical ways to cultivate good fruit in my own life, such as the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23?
How can I balance the instruction to recognize bad fruit in others with the command to love and forgive, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 7:17

Ver. 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit,.... As is the tree, so is its fruit; if the tree is good, it will bring forth good fruit.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 7:17

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 7:17

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 7:17

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Ver. 17. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit] i.e. All sound doctrine tends to good life, and rotten opinions to wretched practices. As, besides the old heretics, we see in the Papists (their priests especially), of whom the Lord Audely (Chancellor of England in King Henry VIII’ s time) said to thirteen Calais men, prisoners for religion whom he discharged: "For God’ s sake, sirs, beware how you deal with Popish priests; for I assure you, some of them be knaves all." After the 1000th year of Christ, there was nowhere less piety than in those that dwelt nearest to Rome, as Machiavel himself observed, who yet was himself none of the best, as is well known; for he proposeth Caesar Borgia (notwithstanding all his villanies) as the only example for a prince to imitate. The Romish Pharisees, like the devils, are then thought to do well, when they cease to do hurt, saith Joannes Sarisburiensis. In popes (saith Papirius Massonius, a Papish writer, speaking of those popes that lived in the time of the Trent Council) no man today requireth holiness. They are thought to be very good, if not extreme evil; or anything better than the worse use to he. The see of Rome, saith another, hath not merited lately to be ruled by any better than reprobates. Various popes have been necromancers, atheists, epicures, monsters, as Benno Cardinalis describes Hildebrand, and Luitprandus reports of John XII, that he ordained priests in a stable among his horses, that he went in to his father’ s concubines, that he drank a health to the devil, &c. Benedict XII had this epitaph set over him, " Hic situs est Nero, laicis more, vipera clero; Devius a vero, turba repleta mero." I am not ignorant what is the common putoff of Papists, when urged with these and the like histories; viz. Luitprandi illud non est, sed Anonymi cuiusdam, qui hoc historiae ipsius appenderit: Luitprandus never wrote any such thing, but some other nameless author, that hath pieced it to his history, saith Bellarmine and Baronius. But who this nameless author was, or when he lived, or how it may appear that it was so indeed, they say not a word. So if we cite Benno Cardinalis. Imo potius Lutheranus, on the contray, Luther is more preferred, saith Bellarmine and Florimund. How disdainfully they reject the Fathers when they make against them, I need not here recite. I would sooner believe one pope than a thousand Augustines, saith a Jesuit.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 7:17

(17, 18) Even so every good tree. . . .—The two verses state nearly the same fact, but each presents a different aspect. First it is stated as a matter of practical experience, then the general fact is referred to a necessary law. If the tree is corrupt, i.e., rotten or decayed at the core, it cannot bring forth good fruit. If there is falseness in the teaching, or in the man, it will sooner or later show itself in his life, and then, even though we judge of the doctrine on other ground, we should cease to feel confidence in the guidance of the teacher.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 7:17

Verse 17. So every good tree] As the thorn can only produce thorns, not grapes; and the thistle, not figs, but prickles; so an unregenerate heart will produce fruits of degeneracy. As we perfectly know that a good tree will not produce bad fruit, and the bad tree will not, cannot produce good fruit, so we know that the profession of godliness, while the life is ungodly, is imposture, hypocrisy, and deceit. A man cannot be a saint and a sinner at the same time. Let us remember, that as the good tree means a good heart, and the good fruit, a holy life, and that every heart is naturally vicious; so there is none but God who can pluck up the vicious tree, create a good heart, plant, cultivate, water, and make it continually fruitful in righteousness and true holiness.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 7:17

A corrupt tree - The word “corrupt” here does not signify, as our translation would seem to indicate, that the tree “had been” good, but had become “vitiated;” but that it was a tree of a useless

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 7:17

17, 18. Good tree… good fruit… corrupt tree… evil fruit — As the corruption of the tree lies back of the evil fruit, so the corruption of the man’s nature lies back of his evil doings.

Sermons on Matthew 7:17

	Sermon	Description
	(Basics) 62. Hatred by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of cleansing our hearts and not just focusing on external actions. He quotes Jesus' words in Matthew 15, where Jesus teaches t
	No Half Measures by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the response of the people to the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus. He highlights that some individuals made a negative decision, merel
	Tongues on Fire by Brian Long	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the destructive power of the tongue and the importance of being mindful of our words. He highlights how lies and negative words can have a l
	False Prophets and the Broad Way - Part 5 by Zac Poonen	This sermon delves into the concluding paragraph of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7, where Jesus uses three vivid illustrations to emphasize the importance of living
	The Day Jesus Was Astonished by Teresa Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on a passage from the Bible about a servant who was dear to a man and was sick and ready to die. The preacher emphasizes that this servant was
	Original Sin - Inability - Biblical Basis by John Murray	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of good and evil as taught by Jesus in the Bible. They reference several passages, including Matthew 7:17-18, Matthew 12:33-35, an
	The Inner Man by Hans R. Waldvogel	In this sermon, the preacher shares his experience at a convention in Germany where he witnessed a crowded and lively gathering of preachers and attendees. However, he noticed that