Matthew 7:15-20

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵ _j "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are _k ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them _l by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ So, _m every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ _n Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them _l by their fruits.

1. Cross References
   Matthew 24:11
   And many false prophets will arise and lead man...
   Matthew 24:24
   For false christs and false prophets will arise...
   Deuteronomy 13:1 - 3
   If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises amon...
   Jeremiah 14:14
   And the Lord said to me: "The prophets are prop...
   Jeremiah 23:16
   Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Do not listen to ...
   Mark 13:22
   For false christs and false prophets will arise...
   Luke 6:26
   Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, ...
   Acts 13:6
   When they had gone through the whole island as ...
   2 Peter 2:1
   But false prophets also arose among the people,...
   1 John 4:1
   Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test ...
   
2. Cross References
   Ezekiel 22:27
   Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain.
   Acts 20:29
   I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
   Micah 3:5
   Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry "Peace" when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.
   John 10:12
   He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
   
3. Cross References
   Luke 6:43 - 44
   For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit.
   James 2:18
   But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
   
4. Cross References
   Matthew 12:33 - 35
   Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
   
5. Cross References
   Matthew 3:10
   Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
   
6. Cross References
   Matthew 7:16
   You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
   

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.