Luke 6:44

For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his listeners in the Sermon on the Plain, using agricultural imagery to show how outward actions reveal inner character. He speaks while contrasting genuine righteousness with hypocritical observance.

The words — ἕκαστον (hekaston) means "each," and καρποῦ (karpou) means "fruit." The phrase declares that a tree's true nature is verified by its visible output.

The thread — The same agricultural analogy appears in Matthew 12:33 and James 3:12, where the impossibility of good producing from a corrupt source is repeatedly emphasized. These passages link moral output directly to the underlying condition of the source.

Why it lands — The text demands that you evaluate a person’s spiritual condition by examining their consistent actions rather than their claims. It asks readers to apply the same standard to themselves, recognizing that behavior is the necessary evidence of the heart’s true state.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἕκαστονhekastonEach γὰρgarfor δένδρονdendrontree ἐκekby τοῦtouthe ἰδίουidiouown καρποῦkarpoufruit γινώσκεται.ginōsketaiis known.οὐouNot γὰρgarfor ἐξexfrom ἀκανθῶνakanthōnthorns συλλέγουσινsullegousindo they gather σῦκαsukafigs οὐδὲoudenor ἐκekfrom βάτουbatoua bramble bush σταφυλὴνstaphulēngrapes τρυγῶσιν.¶trugōsingather they.

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 12:33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.
James 3:12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone.
Jude 1:12 These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.