Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

MATTHEW 7:16KJV
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Matthew 7:16 (KJV)

What does Matthew 7:16 mean?

Matthew 7:16 says that you can recognize people by the results of their actions, just as you can tell what kind of plant you are looking at by the fruit it produces. Jesus uses the example that no one expects to find grapes growing on thorn bushes or figs on thistles, making the point that good or bad character is revealed by what someone does.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, warning them about false prophets. He teaches that outward appearances can be deceiving, but a person’s true nature will show in their behavior and choices, just as a plant’s identity is shown by its fruit. The verse uses everyday farming images familiar to his listeners to make this lesson clear.

The Greek behind Matthew 7:16

  • The word "know" (ἐπιγνώσεσθε, epignōsesthe, from G1921) means more than just recognizing; it often carries the sense of fully understanding or discerning. Here, it stresses that people’s actions make their true character unmistakable.
  • "Fruits" (καρπῶν, karpōn, from G2590) refers to the visible results or outcomes of a person’s life, not just literal fruit. This helps the reader see that Jesus is talking about evidence of character, not physical produce.
  • "Gather" (συλλέγουσιν, syllégousin, from G4816) means to collect or pick, highlighting the natural expectation that people harvest good things from good sources, not from harmful or useless plants.
  • "Thorns" (ἀκανθῶν, akanthōn, from G173) and "thistles" (τριβόλων, tribolōn, from G5146) both refer to plants that are not only unfruitful but can also be harmful, underlining the contrast between genuine and false sources.

Why Matthew 7:16 matters

  • Matthew 7:16 clears up the idea that appearances or words alone are enough to judge someone’s character; instead, consistent actions are the true test.
  • The verse connects to Jesus’ wider warning about false prophets, showing that spiritual authenticity is proven over time by real-life evidence.
  • This teaching helps readers understand that discernment is not about suspicion, but about patiently observing the “fruit” of a person’s life, which reveals what is genuine.

Where else these words appear

“thistles” Greek G5146 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

“grapes” Greek G4718 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
  • Revelation 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

“figs” Greek G4810 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
  • Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
  • James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

“gather” Greek G4816 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
  • Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
  • Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;