For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

LUKE 6:43KJV
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Luke 6:43 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:43 mean?

Luke 6:43 uses a tree and its fruit to describe the connection between what a person is like within and what that person produces. Jesus presents good and corrupt trees as producing fruit that matches their character.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples, with a large crowd also listening. His picture draws on a familiar part of daily life: people knew trees by the fruit they produced. After speaking about seeing clearly in verse 42, Jesus turns to the connection between a tree and its fruit.

The Greek behind Luke 6:43

  • “good” — καλός (kalos): This word can mean sound or fine in quality. Jesus uses the same word for both the tree and the fruit, tying their qualities together.
  • “corrupt” — σαπρός (sapros): This word can describe something rotten or spoiled. The contrast with “good” gives the picture a sense of soundness versus decay.

Why Luke 6:43 matters

  • The picture points beyond trees to people. In Luke 6:45, Jesus connects the good or evil a person brings out with what is stored in the heart, the person’s inner life.
  • Jesus includes both sides of the contrast. “A good tree” does not produce corrupt fruit, and “a corrupt tree” does not produce good fruit. The two statements make the connection between tree and fruit work in both directions.
  • Jesus places speech within the picture of what a person produces. Luke 6:45 says that the mouth speaks from what fills the heart, giving a concrete example of the link Jesus describes.

Where else these words appear

“corrupt” Greek G4550 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
  • Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
  • Matthew 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

“tree” Greek G1186 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Matthew 21:8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
  • Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

“fruit” Greek G2590 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Mark 12:2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
  • Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

“good” Greek G2570 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
  • 1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;