Matthew 7:19 kjv

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 7:19 nkjv

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:19 niv

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:19 esv

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7:19 nlt

So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 19 Meaning

Matthew 7:19 serves as a definitive warning issued by Jesus Christ concerning the necessity of producing good spiritual fruit as evidence of genuine faith and a truly transformed heart. It underscores that any life or professing believer that fails to bear fruit consistent with righteousness will face divine judgment and ultimate separation. This judgment is certain and leads to severe consequences.

Matthew 7 19 Context

Matthew 7:19 is part of Jesus' climactic Sermon on the Mount, specifically within His teaching on discerning true and false prophets (Matthew 7:15-20). Having warned His disciples to "beware of false prophets," Jesus provides a crucial criterion for their identification: "You will recognize them by their fruits." Verse 19 then elaborates on the ultimate consequence for any "tree" (person, particularly one claiming spiritual authority or discipleship) that does not bear good fruit, extending the warning from false prophets to all who profess faith but lack genuine transformation. This passage is immediately followed by Jesus' further warning about those who say "Lord, Lord" but do not do the will of His Father (Matthew 7:21-23), cementing the theme that true allegiance is evidenced by actions, not merely words. The surrounding context includes the narrow and wide gates, and the wise and foolish builders, all emphasizing the importance of a true, obedient response to Jesus' teachings for ultimate salvation and stability.

Historically and culturally, the image of a tree, especially a fruit-bearing one, was a potent metaphor in Jewish thought. Israel itself was often depicted as God's vine or fig tree (Isa 5:1-7, Ps 80, Jer 11:16-17). Unfruitfulness for these agricultural symbols indicated failure to live according to God's covenant, leading to divine judgment and cutting down. Thus, Jesus' audience would have readily grasped the agricultural imagery as a severe spiritual warning.

Matthew 7 19 Word analysis

• Every tree: (Greek: πᾶν δένδρον - pan dendron).
  • Every (πᾶν - pan): Signifies universality, encompassing all instances without exception. It emphasizes that this principle applies to everyone, whether a professing believer, a leader, or an ordinary individual. There is no distinction in God's judgment criteria based on outward appearance or claims.
  • tree (δένδρον - dendron): A common biblical metaphor for a person or a nation (e.g., Israel as a vine or fig tree). Here, it refers to any individual, especially one whose spiritual standing or profession is being assessed.
• that bringeth not forth: (Greek: μὴ φέρον - mē pheron - "not bearing/producing").
  • not (μὴ - mē): Indicates a definite lack or absence, rather than a temporary state. It implies a complete failure or unwillingness to produce the expected spiritual output.
  • bringeth forth (φέρον - pheron): "To bear, produce, carry." Highlights the active and consistent production of something. The focus is on the fruit-bearing capacity and actual output of the tree.
• good fruit: (Greek: καρπὸν καλὸν - karpon kalon).
  • good (καλὸν - kalon): This Greek word describes something intrinsically good, beautiful, honorable, noble, and morally excellent. It's not just "acceptable" or "tolerable" fruit, but fruit that reflects genuine righteousness, Christ-like character, and actions consistent with God's will (e.g., Gal 5:22-23 - fruit of the Spirit). It stands in stark contrast to "bad fruit" (πονηρόν - poneron), which implies evil or rotten.
  • fruit (καρπὸν - karpon): The tangible outcome or product. Spiritually, it signifies the observable evidence of one's inner character, beliefs, and true relationship with God. This includes deeds of obedience, acts of righteousness, spiritual character traits, and ultimately, a life lived in accordance with Christ's teachings.
• is hewn down: (Greek: ἐκκόπτεται - ekkoptetai - "is cut out, chopped off, severed").
  • is hewn down: A present tense verb, conveying immediacy or an ongoing, inevitable action. It points to a decisive and forceful removal or excision. The metaphor implies divine judgment actively severing that which is unproductive. It carries the weight of finality.
• and cast into the fire: (Greek: καὶ εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται - kai eis pyr balletai - "and is thrown into fire").
  • cast into (εἰς πῦρ βάλλεται - eis pyr balletai): This denotes forceful expulsion and permanent disposition. The passive voice implies a divine agent performing the action.
  • the fire (πῦρ - pyr): A widely understood biblical symbol of judgment, destruction, and punishment, especially associated with eternal condemnation or severe purification. It emphasizes the ultimate, destructive, and painful outcome for that which is rejected by God.

Matthew 7 19 Bonus section

The metaphor of the tree and its fruit highlights the inherent connection between what someone is and what they produce. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit (Mt 7:18). This means that "good fruit" is not something external or tacked-on; it is the natural, inevitable outflow of a heart transformed by God. Therefore, the warning in verse 19 is ultimately a diagnostic tool: the type of fruit a life produces reveals the true nature of the "tree." If there is no good fruit, it points to a root problem—either a lack of genuine regeneration or a wilful rebellion against God's nature. This principle stands as both a severe warning against self-deception and a clear standard for self-examination and discernment in the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 7 19 Commentary

Matthew 7:19 serves as a potent and sobering warning about the essential nature of authentic faith demonstrated through lived righteousness. It dispels the notion that mere profession, outward association, or religious activities suffice for divine acceptance. Jesus presents a clear, unmistakable principle: a tree is judged by its fruit. This is not about achieving perfect sinlessness but about a genuine, internal transformation that consistently expresses itself in Christ-like character and deeds ("good fruit"). The absence of this spiritual productivity signifies a fundamentally flawed or nonexistent connection to the divine life.

The consequence for unfruitfulness is stark and unavoidable: "hewn down and cast into the fire." This is a definitive portrayal of divine judgment and eternal separation from God, consistent with other biblical portrayals of final condemnation for the unrighteous (e.g., the barren vine in John 15:6, the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46). This verse challenges believers to continually examine their lives, not resting on empty words or titles, but diligently cultivating a life that consistently bears fruit to God's glory.

Practical Examples:

• A person who claims to be a follower of Christ but consistently harbors bitterness, unforgiveness, or deceit in their life, showing no fruit of love, joy, or peace.
• A religious leader who teaches doctrine but whose actions reveal covetousness, pride, or a lack of integrity, displaying "bad fruit" or no good fruit.
• An individual who performs outward religious rituals but whose heart remains unchanged, with no discernible growth in spiritual maturity or good works for the Kingdom.