A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

MATTHEW 7:18KJV
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Matthew 7:18 (KJV)

What does Matthew 7:18 mean?

Matthew 7:18 says that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. This means that the true nature of something or someone will show itself in the results or actions that come from it.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, warning them about false prophets and how to recognize them. He uses the image of trees and their fruit to teach that a person’s character and actions are deeply connected, and you can tell what someone is truly like by what they do.

The Greek behind Matthew 7:18

  • "good" (ἀγαθός, agathos): This word means genuinely good or beneficial, not just outwardly pleasant. Jesus is emphasizing the true inner quality, not just appearances.
  • "corrupt" (σαπρός, sapros): This Greek word means rotten or decayed, not just morally bad. It paints a picture of something spoiled from the inside out, unable to produce anything healthy.
  • "fruit" (καρπός, karpos): In Greek, this word refers to the result or outcome of something. Here, it means the visible results of a person’s life or teaching, not just literal fruit.
  • "cannot" (οὐ δύναται, ou dynatai): This phrase means it is not possible or not able. Jesus is stating this as an absolute: the nature of the tree makes it impossible to produce the opposite kind of fruit.

Why Matthew 7:18 matters

  • Matthew 7:18 clears up the idea that someone can consistently hide their true character; over time, actions will reveal what is inside.
  • The verse emphasizes that real goodness or corruption is a matter of nature, not just behavior, highlighting the importance of what is at the core of a person or teaching.
  • This teaching connects directly to Jesus’ warning about false prophets in the surrounding verses, helping listeners understand how to discern truth from falsehood by looking at consistent results.

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 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
  • Luke 6:43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

“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.
  • Mark 8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
  • 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:
  • Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
  • 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;

“evil” Greek G4190 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Mark 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.