Matthew 7:17 (ASV)

Passage

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Nearby Context

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do [men] gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the 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 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "even", "good", "tree", "bringeth", "forth", "fruit", and "corrupt". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "even" and "good", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "By their fruits ye shall know them..." into verse 18's "A good tree cannot bring forth evil...", so "even" and "good" belong inside that flow. In Matthew context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "even" and "good" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.