Matthew 7:18 Meaning and Explanation
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The link between nature and fruit is fixed: a good tree cannot yield bad fruit, nor a bad tree good fruit.
What Does Matthew 7:18 Mean?
Jesus states the principle of verse 17 in its strongest form, stressing impossibility. The harmony between a tree and its fruit is not occasional but necessary; the inner nature cannot help but show itself in what it produces.
This sobering truth presses us to look beneath the surface. No amount of pleasant appearance can make a corrupt heart yield genuine good over time, and a heart made good will inevitably bear good fruit. Jesus directs us to the deep work of grace that changes the root itself, for only a transformed nature brings forth lasting good.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 7:18
What does Matthew 7:18 mean?
The link between nature and fruit is fixed: a good tree cannot yield bad fruit, nor a bad tree good fruit.