Matthew 7:18 (GNV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

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.

Matthew 7:19 Euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 7:20 Therefore by their fruites ye shall knowe them.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "good", "tree", "bring", "forth", "euil", "fruite", "neither", and "corrupt". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "good" and "tree", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "So euery good tree bringeth foorth good..." into verse 19's "Euery tree that bringeth not forth good...", so "good" and "tree" 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 "good" and "tree" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.