Luke 6 44

Luke 6:44 kjv

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.

Luke 6:44 nkjv

For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

Luke 6:44 niv

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

Luke 6:44 esv

for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.

Luke 6:44 nlt

A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 44 Meaning

Luke 6:44 declares a foundational principle: an individual's true character and inner nature are inevitably revealed through their words, actions, and general conduct, which are metaphorically called "fruit." Just as different plants yield specific and recognizable produce—figs from fig trees, grapes from grapevines—so too, the character of a person manifests in distinctive ways. You cannot gather good fruit from inherently bad or thorny sources, emphasizing that genuine righteousness, or its absence, cannot be concealed; it will be demonstrated through one's life.

Luke 6 44 Context

Luke 6:44 is embedded within Jesus’s “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6:17-49), delivered to his disciples and a large crowd. This section closely parallels portions of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus expounds on the nature of true discipleship. Specifically, the verse immediately follows Jesus's warning about hypocrites (the log and speck in the eye, vv. 41-42) and precedes His teaching that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (v. 45), culminating in the parable of the two builders (vv. 47-49). The historical context reveals Jesus teaching fundamental truths about spiritual authenticity, challenging the superficial religiosity prevalent among some religious leaders of His day who focused on outward appearance rather than inner transformation. This teaching sets a clear criterion for discerning true character and spiritual allegiance.

Luke 6 44 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunction indicating explanation or reason, introducing the principle that follows. It links this statement to the preceding one about good and evil persons (Luke 6:43), providing the underlying rationale.
• every (πᾶν, pan): Emphasizes universality. It applies to all trees, meaning it applies to every person or teaching without exception.
• tree (δένδρον, dendron): Figurative for a person or even a teaching/movement. In ancient thought, a tree's species was defined by its fruit. This metaphor assumes the hearer understands the intrinsic link between plant and produce.
• is known (γινώσκεται, ginōsketai): Passive voice. It implies a recognition that becomes evident to others through observation. This "knowing" is not merely superficial recognition but an understanding of its inherent nature or identity. The Greek verb speaks of experiential knowledge.
• by its own (ἀπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου, apo tou idiou): Highlights possession and direct origin. The fruit intrinsically belongs to and comes from the specific tree. It underlines the uniqueness and individuality of the source and its product.
• fruit (καρποῦ, karpou): Metaphorical for outward manifestations—actions, words, attitudes, behaviors, consequences. This is the observable evidence of the "tree's" inner reality or nature.
• For (γάρ, gar): Again, introduces an explanatory illustration or proof of the previous statement.
• men (ἄνθρωποι, anthrōpoi): General term for people. It assumes common human experience and understanding.
• do not gather (οὐ συλλέγουσιν, ou syllegousin): Strong negation. It points to a practical, obvious truth about the natural world that resonates with common sense.
• figs (σῦκα, syka): A type of sweet, edible fruit associated with abundance and Israel's produce. They come from fig trees.
• from thornbushes (ἐξ ἀκανθῶν, ex akanthōn): Thorny, barren plants. They yield no edible fruit and can inflict harm. This vividly contrasts the good fruit with a harmful source.
• nor do they gather (οὐδὲ τρυγῶσιν, oude trygōsin): Further negation and another common activity of harvesting. Trygaō specifically refers to grape harvesting.
• grapes (σταφυλὴν, staphylēn): Another common, valuable fruit from grapevines.
• from a bramble bush (ἀπὸ βάτου, apo batou): A thorny, prickly shrub, again a non-fruit bearing plant, used here similarly to thornbushes.

• "For every tree is known by its own fruit": This phrase sets forth a universal principle of discernment. It asserts that true character is inherently discoverable through its outcomes. There is no disguising the nature of a thing from the evidence of its produce.
• "For men do not gather figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush": This statement serves as an illustrative proverb, grounding the universal principle in tangible, common-sense examples from agriculture. It employs two distinct pairs (figs/thornbushes, grapes/bramble bush) to reinforce the absolute impossibility of getting good fruit from an inherently barren or harmful source, solidifying the initial truth about character and actions. This reiterates that outward manifestation is intrinsically linked to inward nature.

Luke 6 44 Bonus section

The metaphor of the "tree and its fruit" is a recurring theme throughout biblical wisdom literature, signifying a holistic view of moral character. It implies that true change must occur at the root (the heart) before genuine, lasting good fruit can be produced (Matt 12:33-35). This teaching stands in contrast to approaches that prioritize external actions without inward transformation, effectively demonstrating that divine assessment penetrates beyond appearance. The choice of figs and grapes is significant, as they were staple and highly valued crops in ancient Israel, making the contrast with useless thornbushes and brambles particularly vivid and relatable. This proverb serves not as a means to judge harshly, but as a discerning tool to recognize the source—be it God, self, or an opposing spirit—behind actions and words.

Luke 6 44 Commentary

Luke 6:44 serves as a practical litmus test for genuine faith and character. Jesus uses a simple, agrarian analogy, deeply understandable to His audience, to communicate a profound spiritual truth: who you are on the inside determines what you produce on the outside. It's not about outward profession or superficial adherence to rules, but about the deeply rooted nature of one's heart. A person truly transformed by God will, over time and despite imperfections, manifest qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness (Gal 5:22-23), while one whose heart remains rebellious or unchanged will produce "wild fruit"—negative and harmful behaviors (Jas 3:12). This principle applies both to self-assessment—"What kind of fruit am I bearing?"—and to discerning others and teachings. We evaluate leaders, teachers, and even our own spiritual walk by observing the consistent and cumulative "fruit" they or we produce.

Examples:

• A leader whose words promote division and whose actions are self-serving is bearing bad fruit, regardless of their religious title.
• A person who consistently displays forgiveness and humility in challenging circumstances is showing good fruit, reflecting a heart shaped by Christ.