Luke 6 43

Luke 6:43 kjv

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

Luke 6:43 nkjv

"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

Luke 6:43 niv

"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

Luke 6:43 esv

"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,

Luke 6:43 nlt

"A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 43 Meaning

Luke 6:43 states a fundamental principle: a good tree inherently produces good fruit, and a bad tree inevitably produces bad fruit. It signifies that one's true character and spiritual nature (the "tree") are consistently and unmistakably revealed through their actions, words, and outcomes (the "fruit"). There is an unyielding correspondence between the internal state of a person and their external manifestation.

Luke 6 43 Context

Luke 6:43 is part of Jesus' extended discourse, often called "The Sermon on the Plain," where He lays out the principles of the Kingdom of God and true discipleship. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus admonishes His disciples not to judge others (Lk 6:37) and famously uses the analogy of removing a "log" from one's own eye before attempting to remove a "speck" from a brother's eye (Lk 6:41-42). The phrase "can a blind man lead a blind man?" (Lk 6:39) emphasizes the need for internal transformation. Luke 6:43, therefore, serves as a foundational principle supporting Jesus' call for authentic, self-aware discernment. It directly introduces the idea that a person's inner spiritual state is revealed by their external output (Lk 6:45: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil"). The entire section (Lk 6:39-49) highlights the importance of not just hearing Jesus' words, but doing them, with the parable of the two builders concluding the passage. The agricultural metaphor was particularly resonant with Jesus' original audience, who were intimately familiar with the relationship between a tree and its fruit.

Luke 6 43 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction meaning "for," "since," or "because." It introduces an explanation or justification for the preceding statement, specifically connecting this principle to the idea of discerning others. It undergirds the call for true self-reflection and authentic discipleship.
• a good tree (δένδρον ἀγαθὸν - dendron agathon):
  • δένδρον (dendron): A "tree." In biblical metaphor, a tree often represents a person, their life, character, or lineage (e.g., Ps 1:3, Isa 61:3).
  • ἀγαθὸν (agathon): "Good," in the sense of intrinsically good, morally excellent, wholesome, beneficial, or pure in nature. This describes the inherent quality and moral excellence of the "tree."
• does not bear (οὐ ποιεῖ - ou poiei):
  • οὐ (ou): A strong negative particle, meaning "not," emphasizing an absolute impossibility or an unequivocal denial.
  • ποιεῖ (poiei): "Does," "makes," "produces," or "bears." It denotes the act of bringing forth or manifesting.
• bad fruit (καρπὸν σαπρὸν - karpon sapron):
  • καρπὸν (karpon): "Fruit," implying outcome, result, actions, or deeds. It signifies the tangible manifestation of the "tree's" nature.
  • σαπρὸν (sapron): "Bad," specifically rotten, decayed, worthless, useless, corrupt, or putrid. It refers to something that is spoiled or no longer wholesome. It highlights the decaying or valueless nature of the outcome.
• nor does a bad tree (οὐδὲ πονηρὸν δένδρον - oude ponēron dendron):
  • οὐδὲ (oude): "Nor," "and not," "not even." It further reinforces the absolute nature of the preceding negation and introduces the reverse scenario.
  • πονηρὸν (poneron): "Bad," "evil," wicked, malignant, morally reprehensible, actively harmful or troublesome. While agathon refers to intrinsic goodness, poneron denotes active wickedness or malevolence. It describes a tree whose fundamental nature is one of moral corruption.
• bear good fruit (ποιεῖ καρπὸν καλὸν - poiei karpon kalon):
  • ποιεῖ (poiei): "Bears," "produces."
  • καρπὸν (karpon): "Fruit."
  • καλὸν (kalon): "Good," beautiful, noble, morally excellent in an aesthetic or outwardly admirable sense, fitting, or excellent. It contrasts with sapron, implying an attractive and proper kind of goodness.

Luke 6 43 Bonus section

• This principle challenges superficial religiosity, where outward adherence to rules or pious talk might mask a corrupt inner life. Jesus frequently critiqued the Pharisees for such hypocrisy (Matt 23:27-28).
• The emphasis on fruit indicates that discernment is based on consistent patterns of behavior and impact, not isolated incidents. While a good person may stumble, a "good tree" produces good fruit consistently. A "bad tree" characteristically produces bad fruit.
• The "tree" refers to the core identity and nature of a person, emphasizing that spiritual transformation must begin deep within, not merely with behavioral modification. This highlights the Christian doctrine of regeneration by the Spirit of God as essential for bearing the "fruit of righteousness."
• This verse can be seen as an appeal for self-examination, encouraging believers to inspect their own "fruit" to ascertain the true condition of their spiritual "tree." Is Christ's life flowing through them, producing "good fruit"?
• The "fruit" encompasses more than just actions; it includes attitudes, words, and the overall impact of one's life on others and on God's Kingdom.

Luke 6 43 Commentary

Luke 6:43 presents a fundamental spiritual law based on the undeniable logic of nature. Just as the inherent quality of a tree determines the nature of its fruit, so too does a person's inner character and spiritual condition dictate their outward actions and expressions. This verse is not a command but a declaration of spiritual truth; it is an assessment tool for spiritual discernment. Jesus uses this principle to guide His disciples in identifying false teachers and hypocrites, and to emphasize that true righteousness springs from an authentic transformation of the heart. The quality of one's actions and life consistently reveals the true source within them. There can be no genuine contradiction: an inherently good character produces consistently good and wholesome actions, while an evil or corrupted nature invariably yields destructive, useless, or rotten "fruit." This principle underscores the necessity of dealing with the "root" (the heart/character) for true spiritual fruit to emerge.

• Example 1: A genuinely humble and loving person (good tree) will naturally speak words of encouragement and show acts of compassion (good fruit), even when challenged.
• Example 2: Someone driven by envy and self-interest (bad tree) will consistently manifest manipulative behaviors and divisive speech (bad fruit), regardless of their outward religious claims.