Matthew 12:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Either {G2228} make {G4160} the tree {G1186} good {G2570}, and {G2532} his {G846} fruit {G2590} good {G2570}; or else {G2228} make {G4160} the tree {G1186} corrupt {G4550}, and {G2532} his {G846} fruit {G2590} corrupt {G4550}: for {G1063} the tree {G1186} is known {G1097} by {G1537} his fruit {G2590}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good; and if you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

Berean Standard Bible

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

American Standard Version

Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by its fruit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:33 presents Jesus' profound agricultural metaphor, asserting that a person's outward actions, or "fruit," are an undeniable indicator of their inner character, the "tree." This verse underscores the intrinsic and inseparable connection between one's core being and the tangible manifestations of that being in words, deeds, and attitudes, emphasizing that genuine character will inevitably reveal itself through its effects.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful declaration by Jesus is situated within a heated and pivotal confrontation with the Pharisees, immediately following their blasphemous accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons ([Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - The Pharisees' Blasphemous Accusation")). Jesus first exposes the absurdity of their claim, arguing that a kingdom or house divided against itself cannot stand ([Matthew 12:25-26](/matthew/12-25-26 "Matthew 12:25-26 - A Kingdom Divided")). He then challenges their own practices, noting that if He casts out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon them ([Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Matthew 12:28 - The Kingdom of God Has Come")). The "tree and fruit" analogy serves as a direct and incisive indictment of their hypocrisy: their malicious words and accusations reveal the corrupt nature of their hearts, despite their outward religious piety. This teaching naturally flows into Jesus' subsequent warnings about the "idle word" for which people will give account ([Matthew 12:36](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36 - Accountability for Every Idle Word")) and the connection between the heart's treasure and the mouth's utterance ([Matthew 12:35](/matthew/12-35 "Matthew 12:35 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' audience, deeply rooted in an agrarian society, would have immediately grasped the metaphor of a tree and its fruit. They understood that a fig tree produces figs, and a thorn bush produces thorns; the nature of the plant determines the nature of its produce. This was a common observation and a natural law. Spiritually, Jewish thought often connected actions with inner disposition, though the Pharisees frequently emphasized external adherence to the Law over genuine internal transformation. Jesus' teaching here challenges this superficiality, asserting that true righteousness is not merely about outward conformity but about the condition of the heart. The confrontation with the Pharisees highlights the tension between the legalistic, external religiosity of the Jewish leaders and Jesus' emphasis on internal purity and genuine spiritual fruit.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 12:33 contributes significantly to several major themes within the Gospel of Matthew and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Character and Conduct**, emphasizing that one's actions are not merely isolated behaviors but direct manifestations of one's inner moral and spiritual state. There is an intrinsic link between who a person *is* and what they *do*. Secondly, it serves as a critical exposition on **Authenticity vs. Hypocrisy**, a recurring critique Jesus levels against the religious establishment. The Pharisees' "bad fruit" of false accusation and spiritual blindness exposed their corrupt hearts, despite their outward show of piety. This verse underscores that true righteousness is not a façade but an overflow of a transformed inner being. Lastly, it provides a principle for **Discernment**, offering a practical means by which to evaluate the spiritual quality of individuals, teachings, or movements. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, so too can the true nature of a person or a doctrine be discerned by its practical outcomes and manifestations. This aligns with Jesus' earlier teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about [knowing false prophets by their fruits](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - Knowing Them by Their Fruits"), reinforcing a consistent principle of spiritual evaluation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Greek, _kalós'_):** This word signifies something that is inherently good, beautiful, noble, excellent, and morally admirable. It denotes not merely functional goodness, but a qualitative goodness that is intrinsically valuable and virtuous, often implying a pleasing aesthetic or moral quality. It stands in contrast to something merely "useful" or "beneficial."
* **corrupt (Greek, _saprós'_):** Meaning rotten, decaying, worthless, or unhealthy. It describes something that is not just bad, but actively putrefying and producing decay. In a moral sense, it implies something vile, depraved, and destructive, highlighting the detrimental nature of a corrupt inner state.
* **known (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** A comprehensive term for "to know," implying knowledge gained through experience, perception, or recognition. It suggests a deep, experiential understanding or discernment, rather than mere intellectual assent. Here, it means that the true nature of the tree (or person) is revealed and understood through observation of its fruit (or actions).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good;":** Jesus presents a stark, undeniable logical imperative. If one desires good fruit, the tree itself must be good. This establishes the foundational principle: the quality of the output is directly dependent on the quality of the source. There is no possibility of a good tree producing bad fruit. This challenges any notion that one can maintain an evil heart while producing righteous deeds, or vice versa.
* **"or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt:":** This is the antithetical parallel, reinforcing the same principle from the opposite perspective. If the tree is corrupt, its fruit will inevitably be corrupt. This eliminates the possibility of a corrupt tree producing good fruit. It underscores the futility of attempting to produce spiritual good from a heart that is not transformed. The choice is binary: either good source, good product; or corrupt source, corrupt product.
* **"for the tree is known by [his] fruit.":** This concluding clause serves as the irrefutable justification for the preceding statements. It is a statement of universal truth and a principle of discernment. The inherent nature of the tree is not hidden; it is revealed and recognized through the characteristics of its fruit. Similarly, a person's true character, their inner disposition and spiritual health, is ultimately revealed and discerned by the consistent pattern of their words, actions, and the overall impact of their life.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 12:33 is rich in literary devices that enhance its impact and clarity. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where Jesus uses the common agricultural imagery of a "tree" and its "fruit" to represent a person's inner character and their outward actions, respectively. This vivid comparison makes an abstract spiritual truth tangible and easily comprehensible to an agrarian audience. Closely related is **Analogy**, as the verse draws a direct parallel between the natural law of horticulture (a tree's fruit reveals its species) and a spiritual law (a person's actions reveal their heart). The verse also employs **Antithesis**, presenting a sharp contrast between "good" and "corrupt" trees and their corresponding fruits. This stark dichotomy emphasizes the impossibility of a mixed outcome—a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree good fruit—thereby highlighting the absolute correlation between character and conduct. Finally, the verse functions as a piece of **Didacticism**, serving as a direct teaching or instruction from Jesus, designed to impart a fundamental spiritual truth and guide His listeners towards self-examination and discernment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of the human heart as the wellspring of life. It underscores the theological truth that true righteousness and spiritual vitality must originate from an internal transformation, not merely external conformity. The "fruit" of our lives—our words, deeds, attitudes, and relationships—are not just isolated actions but organic expressions of our inner spiritual condition. This principle is foundational to understanding genuine discipleship and the nature of God's work in a believer. It challenges superficial religiosity and calls for an authentic, integrated life where one's public persona aligns with their private reality. The passage also highlights God's justice and discernment, as He "knows" us not just by our claims but by the evidence of our lives.

* [Luke 6:43-45](/luke/6-43-45 "Luke 6:43-45 - Good Trees Bear Good Fruit")
* [James 3:11-12](/james/3-11-12 "James 3:11-12 - A Spring Cannot Yield Both Fresh and Salt Water")
* [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:33 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to an honest and often challenging self-examination. It compels us to look beyond our intentions or outward appearances and genuinely assess the "fruit" our lives are producing. Are our words consistently gracious and edifying, or are they often critical, complaining, or idle? Do our actions reflect love, patience, and kindness, or are they marked by selfishness, anger, or hypocrisy? This verse reminds us that true spiritual health is not about performing good deeds to earn favor, but about cultivating a heart that is so transformed by God's grace that good deeds become its natural overflow. The call is not merely to "fix" our fruit, but to address the root—the condition of our heart. This requires ongoing repentance, submission to the Holy Spirit, and a deep reliance on Christ to prune away what is corrupt and cultivate what is good, allowing us to bear fruit that truly honors God and blesses others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "fruit" (words, actions, attitudes) in your life currently indicates the condition of your heart?**
* **In what areas might you be trying to produce "good fruit" from a "corrupt tree," or vice versa, and what does this verse challenge you to do about it?**
* **How does focusing on the "tree" (your inner character) rather than just the "fruit" (your outward actions) change your approach to spiritual growth?**
* **Considering Jesus' immediate context, how does this verse challenge you to examine the source of your criticisms or judgments of others?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that good works are what save us?**

Answer: No, this verse does not teach salvation by works. Instead, it teaches that good works are the *evidence* of a transformed heart, not the *means* of transformation or salvation. The Bible consistently teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Once a person is genuinely saved, their inner nature is changed by the Holy Spirit, making them a "new creation" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). From this new, "good tree" comes the natural outflow of "good fruit"—righteous living, love, and obedience. The fruit proves the tree's nature; it doesn't create it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:33 finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest expression in Jesus Christ Himself. He is the perfectly "good tree," whose entire life, words, and actions—His "fruit"—were flawlessly good, righteous, and divine. From His compassionate healing of the sick to His authoritative teaching and His unwavering obedience to the Father, every aspect of His earthly ministry bore witness to His perfect, uncorrupted nature and His divine identity. He perfectly embodied the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit") before the Spirit was poured out. For believers, this verse points to the necessity of being "in Christ" to bear good fruit. As Jesus teaches in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches"), "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Our ability to produce "good fruit" is not from our own inherent goodness, but from our union with the perfectly good Tree, Jesus Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice, our corrupt nature is dealt with, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are progressively conformed to His image, enabling us to live lives that genuinely reflect His goodness and bring glory to God ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of His Son")).

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

Luke 6:43

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

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.

Matthew 7:16

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:20

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

John 15:4

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.