What does Matthew 7:16 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 7:16, "Ye shall know them by their fruits.

Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" is a metaphorical statement made by Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount.

It's part of a larger discourse about false prophets and the need to discern true teachers from false ones.

Literally, grapes cannot grow on a thorn bush, nor can figs grow on thistles.

Hence, the "fruits" (the outcomes or results) are indicative of the nature of the "tree" (the person or teacher) they come from. The deeper meaning suggests that the character and actions of a person will reveal their true nature over time, just as the type of fruit reveals the nature of a tree.

Historical Context

The Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5 through 7, is one of the most significant and well-known teachings of Jesus.

Historically, Jesus was addressing his disciples and a crowd of followers in first-century Palestine.

During that time, the Jewish community was familiar with the rich farming imagery used in the Hebrew Scriptures, and they could relate to the analogy of fruit-bearing plants as it was part of their agrarian lifestyle.

Additionally, there were many religious leaders, and distinguishing true teachers from false ones was a real concern.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is often interpreted in the context of discernment and spiritual fruitfulness.

In the New Testament, "fruit" is frequently associated with the evidence of a life transformed by faith in Christ, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23.

The verse in Matthew 7:16 emphasizes the necessity of examining the fruits that people produce, which ultimately reflects their relationship with God and the truth of their teachings.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse encourages individuals to observe and assess the actions and behaviors of others, particularly those who aspire to be leaders or influential figures.

It counsels against merely accepting someone's words at face value and looking for tangible evidence of their character and integrity.

This principle can be applied in various areas of life, including personal relationships, professional environments, and especially in evaluating religious and spiritual leaders.

Cross-References

• Matthew 7:20: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
• 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 6:43-44: "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

For every tree is known by his own fruit..."

• Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
• 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."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the word for "know" is ἐπιγνώσεσθε (epignōsesthe), which implies a full or complete knowledge, not just a superficial understanding.

The term "fruits" is καρπούς (karpous), which can refer to literal fruits but is also used metaphorically to mean the results or outcomes of one's life and actions.

"Grapes" is σταφυλὰς (staphylas), and "figs" is σῦκα (syka), which are common fruits in the region and are easily distinguishable, accentuating the clarity with which one should discern the nature of a person's character.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient cultural myths, plants and their produce often symbolize life, wisdom, or hidden knowledge.

For instance, in Greek mythology, Dionysus is associated with the grapevine and the enlightening and intoxicating effects of wine.

In many religious interpretations, such as Buddhism, the idea of actions and their consequences (karma) is similar to the biblical concept of "fruits" illustrating the results of one's deeds.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific viewpoint, the verse aligns with the biological truth that plants produce fruits according to their species, a grapevine will always produce grapes.

Similarly, a person's behavior and actions can be studied and often accurately predict future behavior, which resonates with psychological and sociological understandings of human behavior patterns and consistency.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer varied insights on this verse.

Some commentaries emphasize the importance of discernment and caution in trusting spiritual teachers, as advised by Jesus.

Others focus on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, which is evidenced by the "fruits" they bear.

Still, others comment on how the natural world reflects spiritual truths, resonating with Jesus' use of everyday images to convey deeper spiritual lessons.

Overall, most agree that this verse underscores the need to pay attention to one's actions as an indicator of true character and teaching.