Matthew 7:16 (GNV)

Passage

Ye shall know them by their fruites. Doe men gather grapes of thornes? or figges of thistles?

Nearby Context

Matthew 7:14 Because the gate is streight, and the way narowe that leadeth vnto life, and fewe there be that finde it.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you, in sheepes clothing, but inwardly they are rauening wolues.

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruites. Doe men gather grapes of thornes? or figges of thistles?

Matthew 7:17 So euery good tree bringeth foorth good fruite, and a corrupt tree bringeth forth euill fruite.

Matthew 7:18 A good tree can not bring forth euil fruite: neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruite.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "shall", "fruites", "gather", "grapes", "thornes", "figges", and "thistles". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "shall" and "fruites", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "Beware of false prophets which come to..." into verse 17's "So euery good tree bringeth foorth good...", so "shall" and "fruites" 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 "shall" and "fruites" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.