Matius 7:16-17

7:16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered ¹  from thorns or figs from thistles, are they? ²  7:17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad ³  tree bears bad fruit.

Lukas 6:43-44

6:43 “For ⁴  no good tree bears bad ⁵  fruit, nor again ⁶  does a bad tree bear good fruit, 6:44 for each tree is known ⁷  by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered ⁸  from thorns, nor are grapes picked ⁹  from brambles. ¹⁰ 

[7:16]  ¹ tn Grk “They do not gather.” This has been simplified to the passive voice in the translation since the subject “they” is not specified further in the context.

[7:16]  ² sn The statement illustrates the principle: That which cannot produce fruit does not produce fruit.

[7:17]  ³ tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying “tree” in both v. 17 and 18, can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).

[6:43]  ⁴ tn The explanatory connective γάρ (gar) is often dropped from translations, but the point of the passage is that one should be self-corrective and be careful who one follows (vv. 41-42), because such choices also reflect what the nature of the tree is and its product.

[6:43]  ⁵ tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying both “fruit” and “tree,” can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).

[6:43]  ⁶ tc Most mss, especially later ones (A C D Θ Ψ 33 Ï lat sy sa), lack the adverb πάλιν (palin, “again”) here. Its presence is attested, however, by several good witnesses (Ì⁷⁵ א B L W Ξ Ë^1,13 579 892 1241 2542).

[6:44]  ⁷ sn The principle of the passage is that one produces what one is.

[6:44]  ⁸ tn Grk “they do not gather”; this has been simplified to the passive voice in the translation since the subject “they” is not specified further in the context.

[6:44]  ⁹ tn This is a different verb (τρυγῶσιν, trugwsin) for gathering from the previous one (συλλέγουσιν, sullegousin).

[6:44]  ¹⁰ tn This is a different term (βάτος, batos) for a thorn or bramble bush than the previous one (ἄκανθα, akanqa).

[6:44]  sn The statement nor are grapes picked from brambles illustrates the principle: That which cannot produce fruit, does not produce fruit.