Luke 6:44

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.

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}.

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

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

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.

Luke 6:44 is part of Jesus' profound teachings often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain (paralleling Matthew's Sermon on the Mount). Here, Jesus uses a simple yet powerful agricultural metaphor to illustrate a fundamental spiritual truth: a person's true character is ultimately revealed by their actions and words, just as a tree is identified by the type of fruit it bears.

Context

This verse immediately follows Luke 6:43, which states that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a corrupt tree good fruit. The broader context of Luke 6 includes Jesus' teaching on judging others, the speck and the log, and the importance of genuine righteousness over outward show. This proverb serves as a practical principle for discernment, applicable to both self-assessment and evaluating others.

Key Themes

  • Character Revelation: The primary message is that internal character inevitably manifests in external behavior. What is truly inside a person will eventually be evident through their "fruit"—their words, deeds, and lifestyle.
  • Authenticity and Integrity: Jesus emphasizes that genuine faith and a transformed heart will produce actions consistent with that inner state. It's a call to authenticity, where one's life aligns with their profession.
  • Discernment: This principle provides a reliable method for distinguishing between true and false spiritual teaching or genuine discipleship versus hypocrisy. As Jesus states elsewhere, "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20).
  • Consequences of Inner State: 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 nature of the "tree" determines the nature of the "fruit."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "known by his own fruit" uses the Greek word ginosko for "known," which implies a deep, experiential understanding or recognition, not just intellectual knowledge. It suggests that through consistent observation of a person's life and choices, their true nature becomes evident. The KJV's use of "his own fruit" emphasizes the inherent connection between the source (the tree/person) and its output.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 6:44 offers several vital applications:

  • Self-Examination: It prompts honest self-reflection. What kind of "fruit" am I producing in my daily life? Are my actions, words, and attitudes consistent with my claim to follow Christ?
  • Discerning Leadership: This principle is crucial for evaluating spiritual leaders, teachers, and even friends. We are called to observe their fruit—their consistent behavior, their impact on others, and the practical outworking of their beliefs—rather than being swayed solely by eloquent words or outward appearances.
  • The Power of the Heart: The verse implicitly points to the heart as the source of our fruit. As Luke 6:45 further explains, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." True spiritual transformation begins with a renewed heart, which then naturally produces good fruit.

Ultimately, this verse reminds us that our true spiritual identity is not defined by what we say we believe, but by the tangible evidence of our lives—the fruit we bear.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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;

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