The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:17

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Matthew only. Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. The similarity between the fruit and the nature of the tree extends not only to the species, but also to the specimen.

Good tree ( δένδρον ἀγαθόν); intrinsically sound. Good fruit ( καρποὺς καλούς); attractive in the eyes of men. As is the inner character of the tree, so is the obvious nature of the fruit. But a corrupt tree ( τὸ δὲ σαπρὸν δένδρον); "the" picturing it.

Corrupt; unsound, rotten, worthless (cf. Matthew 13:48); also in the moral world (Ephesians 4:29).

More for Matthew 7:17

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:1-20Matthew 7:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryVarious practical rules issuing out of the central duty of self-consecration. I. CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS. 1. Gentleness in our estimate of the lives of others. The hypocrites trusted in themselves that they were righteou…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:1-29Matthew 7:1-29 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:13-20Matthew 7:13-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryTwo ways. The course of human action is in Scripture called a way. Of these there are two—the right and wrong, the good and the evil. There is no intermediate way. Here we have— I. THE WAY OF DEATH. 1. It is broad. 2. I…The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:13-27Matthew 7:13-27 · The Pulpit Commentary(4) Epilogue (cf. Matthew 5:3, note). Dare to take up this position, which has been laid down in Mt 5:21-7:12, involving though it must separation from the majority of men (Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14); and this notwiths…Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:15-20Matthew 7:15-20 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryNothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects…The Sermon on the MountMatthew 7:15-20 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. We have here a caution against false prophets, to take heed that we be not deceived and imposed upon by them. Prophets are properly such as foretel things to come; there are some mentioned in th…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:1-29EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:1-20Various practical rules issuing out of the central duty of self-consecration. I. CONDUCT TOWARDS OTHERS. 1. Gentleness in our estimate of the lives of others. The hypocrites trusted in themselves that they were righteou…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:13-27(4) Epilogue (cf. Matthew 5:3, note). Dare to take up this position, which has been laid down in Mt 5:21-7:12, involving though it must separation from the majority of men (Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14); and this notwiths…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:13-20Two ways. The course of human action is in Scripture called a way. Of these there are two—the right and wrong, the good and the evil. There is no intermediate way. Here we have— I. THE WAY OF DEATH. 1. It is broad. 2. I…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Matthew 7:15-20Nothing so much prevents men from entering the strait gate, and becoming true followers of Christ, as the carnal, soothing, flattering doctrines of those who oppose the truth. They may be known by the drift and effects…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Sermon on the MountTHE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. We have here a caution against false prophets, to take heed that we be not deceived and imposed upon by them. Prophets are properly such as foretel things to come; there are some mentioned in th…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:15-23Matthew only in this form, though most of the separate verses have much matter common to other passages; viz.: verses 16, 18, parallel with Luke 6:43, Luke 6:44, cf. also infra, Matthew 12:33; Matthew 12:19, cf. Matthew…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 7:15-20The tree and its fruit. It is not enough for Christ to spread his own wholesome teaching; he must warn against the dangerous influence of bad teachers. Later in his ministry he had occasion to speak of the pretended she…Joseph S. Exell and contributors