Matthew 7:15-23

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.

I Never Knew You

21 o "Not everyone who p says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will q enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who r does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 s On that day t many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not u prophesy in your name, and cast out demons v in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 t And then will I declare to them, 'I w never knew you; x depart from me, y you workers of lawlessness.'

  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?
  7. Cross References
    Luke 6:46
    Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?
    Romans 2:13
    For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
    James 1:22
    But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
  8. Cross References
    Hosea 8:2
    To me they cry, "My God, we - Israel - know you.
  9. Cross References
    John 3:3
    Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
    John 3:5
    Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 12:50
    For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 25:11 - 12
    Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.
    Luke 13:25 - 27
    When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.
  12. Cross References
    Malachi 3:17 - 18
    They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.
  13. Cross References
    Numbers 24:4
    The oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:
    John 11:51
    He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation.
    1 Corinthians 13:2
    And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
  14. Cross References
    Mark 9:38
    John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 7:22
    On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 10:33
    But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
    Psalms 101:4
    A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 25:41
    Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
    Psalms 6:8
    Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 13:41
    The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers.
    Psalms 5:5
    The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.