Luke 6:44

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} every {G1538} tree {G1186} is known {G1097} by {G1537} his own {G2398} fruit {G2590}. For {G1063} of {G1537} thorns {G173} men do not {G3756} gather {G4816} figs {G4810}, nor {G3761} of {G1537} a bramble bush {G942} gather they {G5166} grapes {G4718}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit -- figs aren't picked from thorn bushes, nor grapes from a briar patch.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:44 encapsulates a foundational truth articulated by Jesus: a person's true character and spiritual state are inevitably revealed through their actions, words, and overall lifestyle, much as a tree is identified by the kind of fruit it consistently produces. This agricultural metaphor underscores the principle that internal disposition dictates external manifestation, making "fruit" the undeniable evidence of one's nature, whether good or corrupt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Jesus' extensive teaching often referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain" in Luke's Gospel, a discourse that parallels the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. Immediately preceding [Luke 6:43](/luke/6-43 "Luke 6:43 - Good and Corrupt Trees"), Jesus states the inverse: "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." This sets up the logical conclusion presented in [Luke 6:44](/luke/6-44 "Luke 6:44 - Knowing a Tree by its Fruit"), emphasizing that the nature of the tree (person) determines the nature of its fruit (actions). The broader context of [Luke 6](/luke/6 "Luke Chapter 6 - The Sermon on the Plain") includes teachings on love for enemies, judging others, the parable of the speck and the log, and the ultimate warning about building on a firm foundation. The "fruit" principle serves as a practical means of discernment, not only for others but also for self-examination, leading directly into the teaching about the heart as the source of words and deeds in [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - The Good and Evil Treasures of the Heart").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, agriculture was the bedrock of society, and the imagery of trees, fruit, thorns, and brambles was deeply familiar and immediately understandable to Jesus' audience. People were intimately acquainted with the natural processes of growth and harvest. They knew that a fig tree would always produce figs, and a grape vine, grapes; it was inconceivable for them to yield anything else. This common agricultural knowledge provided a powerful, undeniable analogy for human character. Furthermore, the land of Israel was known for its thorny bushes and brambles, often found in uncultivated or cursed ground, contrasting sharply with productive orchards and vineyards. This contrast would have resonated deeply, symbolizing the difference between a life that yields blessing and one that yields only pain or barrenness.
* **Key Themes:** The central message of [Luke 6:44](/luke/6-44 "Luke 6:44 - Knowing a Tree by its Fruit") is the **revelation of inner character through outward actions**. Jesus asserts that what is truly within a person—their beliefs, values, and spiritual condition—will inevitably manifest in their words, deeds, and overall lifestyle. This highlights the theme of **authenticity and integrity**, urging that genuine faith and a transformed heart must produce actions consistent with that inner state, rather than mere outward profession. It also serves as a crucial principle for **discernment**, providing a reliable method for distinguishing between true and false spiritual teaching or genuine discipleship versus hypocrisy. As Jesus famously states elsewhere, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" in [Matthew 7:16](/matthew/7-16 "Matthew 7:16 - Knowing False Prophets by Their Fruits"). Finally, the verse underscores the **consequences of one's inner state**, illustrating that just as thorns cannot produce figs and brambles cannot yield grapes, a heart filled with malice or deceit cannot consistently produce acts of love, kindness, or truth. The inherent nature of the "tree" (person) determines the nature of the "fruit" (behavior).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **known (Greek, _ginṓskō_):** This verb signifies a deep, experiential knowledge or recognition, not merely intellectual acquaintance. It implies that through consistent observation of a person's life and choices, their true nature becomes evident and understood. It's about discerning by experience, not just by hearing.
* **tree (Greek, _déndron_):** A common word for a tree, here used metaphorically to represent a person. Just as a tree has an inherent nature that determines its fruit, so too does a person's inner being determine their outward actions.
* **fruit (Greek, _karpós_):** Literally "fruit" as that which is plucked from a plant. Figuratively, it refers to the outcome, product, or result of a person's life—their words, deeds, attitudes, and character traits. It is the tangible evidence of their inner disposition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For every tree is known by his own fruit."**: This opening clause establishes the universal principle Jesus is teaching. The conjunction "For" (G1063, _gár_) indicates that this statement provides the reason or explanation for the preceding verse [Luke 6:43](/luke/6-43 "Luke 6:43 - Good and Corrupt Trees"). The essence of a tree, its very identity, is revealed and understood through the fruit it produces. Similarly, a person's true character, their spiritual and moral nature, is not primarily known by their words or claims, but by the consistent, observable "fruit" of their life. The phrase "his own fruit" emphasizes the inherent connection and direct derivation: the fruit belongs to and originates from that specific tree.
* **"For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes."**: This second clause reinforces the principle with two concrete, undeniable examples from the natural world. It's an a fortiori argument: if this is true of the natural world, how much more so in the spiritual realm. Thorns and bramble bushes are wild, unproductive plants, often associated with barrenness or curse. They are inherently incapable of producing valuable, edible fruit like figs or grapes. This illustrates the impossibility of a corrupt heart producing genuinely good and righteous actions, or of a truly good heart consistently producing evil. It highlights the fixed nature of the source determining the outcome.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 6:44 primarily employs **Analogy** and **Metaphor**. The entire verse functions as an **Agricultural Metaphor**, where trees represent people and their fruit represents their actions, words, and character. This is a powerful form of **Proverbial Wisdom**, presenting a concise, memorable truth that is self-evident in the natural world and then applied to human behavior and spiritual reality. The use of **Contrast** is also evident in the juxtaposition of "thorns" and "bramble bush" (unproductive, undesirable) with "figs" and "grapes" (productive, desirable), further emphasizing the impossibility of good fruit from a bad source. This rhetorical strategy makes the spiritual lesson clear and undeniable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:44 is a profound statement on the intrinsic link between one's inner spiritual condition and their outward life. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the heart as the wellspring of life, from which all actions flow. Theologically, it speaks to the necessity of genuine spiritual transformation, asserting that true conversion is not merely a change in profession but a fundamental alteration of nature that inevitably yields a new kind of "fruit." This principle is crucial for understanding both personal spiritual growth and discerning the authenticity of others' claims, particularly in leadership or teaching roles. It highlights that God is concerned not just with outward conformity but with the heart's true allegiance, which will then be evidenced in a life of righteousness and love.

* [Matthew 7:16](/matthew/7-16-20 "Matthew 7:16-20 - Knowing False Prophets by Their Fruits")
* [Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")
* [James 3:12](/james/3-12 "James 3:12 - Can a Fig Tree Bear Olives?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:44 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination and a vital lens for discerning truth in the world around us. For the believer, it prompts a crucial question: What kind of fruit am I bearing? Are my words, actions, and attitudes consistent with a heart transformed by Christ, or do they reveal a deeper struggle or even hypocrisy? This verse calls us to move beyond mere outward religiosity to cultivate an authentic inner life, recognizing that true spiritual health will naturally manifest in good fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It also empowers us to wisely evaluate the teachings and lives of others, particularly those in spiritual authority, by observing the consistent "fruit" of their character and ministry. We are not called to judge their hearts, but to discern the nature of their influence and impact based on what their lives consistently produce.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "fruits" in your daily life (words, actions, attitudes) genuinely reflect your claim to follow Christ?**
* **In what areas might your "fruit" be inconsistent with the "tree" you profess to be, and what might that reveal about your heart's condition?**
* **How can you apply this principle of "knowing by fruit" to wisely discern spiritual teachings or leaders in your community?**

### FAQ

**Does Luke 6:44 mean we should judge others?**

Answer: Luke 6:44 does not advocate for judgmentalism in the sense of condemning others or assuming motives, which Jesus explicitly warns against in [Luke 6:37](/luke/6-37 "Luke 6:37 - Judge Not, and You Shall Not Be Judged"). Instead, it provides a practical principle for discernment. Jesus is teaching us how to recognize the true nature of a person or a teaching, particularly in the context of spiritual authenticity. Just as you don't need to be a botanist to know a fig tree by its figs, you don't need to be a mind-reader to discern a person's character by the consistent pattern of their behavior and the impact of their life. This is about observing the *fruit* (actions, words, lifestyle) to understand the *tree* (character, spiritual state), especially when evaluating those who claim to represent God or teach spiritual truth. It's a call to wise evaluation, not condemnation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:44 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ Himself. He is the perfect "good tree" who bore only good fruit, demonstrating a life utterly consistent with His divine nature and perfect will of God. Unlike humanity, who are inherently flawed "trees" prone to bearing corrupt fruit due to sin, Jesus consistently produced the fruit of perfect obedience, love, and righteousness. His entire life, from His miraculous birth to His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, is the ultimate "fruit" of God's redemptive plan, revealing the Father's character and love. For believers, this verse points to the transformative power of Christ: we are called to be "good trees" not by our own effort, but by being grafted into Christ, the true vine, as described in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches"). It is through our union with Him that the Holy Spirit produces the "fruit of the Spirit" within us, such as love, joy, peace, and patience, as detailed in [Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22-23 "The Fruit of the Spirit"). Thus, the "fruit" we bear is not merely our own moral effort, but the tangible evidence of Christ's life being lived out through us, fulfilling His call to be His disciples who bear much fruit for the glory of God, as promised in [John 15:8](/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - My Father is Glorified by Your Fruit").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

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.

Jude 1:12

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Galatians 5:23

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Titus 2:11

¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;