Matthew 7:15-20 KJV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets - By false prophets we are to understand teachers of erroneous doctrines, who come professing a commission from God, but whose aim is not to bring the heavenly treasure to the people, but rather to rob them of their earthly good. Teachers who preach for hire, having no motive to enter into the ministry but to get a living, as it is ominously called by some, however they may bear the garb and appearance of the innocent useful sheep, the true pastors commissioned by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:16

Ye shall know them by their fruits - Fruits, in the Scripture and Jewish phraseology, are taken for works of any kind. "A man's works," says one, "are the tongue of his heart, and tell honestly whether he is inwardly corrupt or pure." By these works you may distinguish ( επιγνωσεσθε ) these ravenous wolves from true pastors. The judgment formed of a man by his general conduct is a safe one: if the judgment be not favorable to the person, that is his fault, as you have your opinion of him... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:17

So every good tree - As the thorn can only produce thorns, not grapes; and the thistle, not figs, but prickles; so an unregenerate heart will produce fruits of degeneracy. As we perfectly know that a good tree will not produce bad fruit, and the bad tree will not, cannot produce good fruit, so we know that the profession of godliness, while the life is ungodly, is imposture, hypocrisy, and deceit. A man cannot be a saint and a sinner at the same time. Let us remember, that as the good tree... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:18

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit - Love to God and man is the root of the good tree; and from this principle all its fruit is found. To teach, as some have done, that a state of salvation may be consistent with the greatest crimes, (such as murder and adultery in David), or that the righteous necessarily sin in all their best works, is really to make the good tree bring forth bad fruit, and to give the lie to the Author of eternal truth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:19

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit - What a terrible sentence is this against Christless pastors, and Christless hearers! Every tree that produceth not good fruit, εκκοπτεται , is to be now cut down; the act of excision is now taking place: the curse of the Lord is even now on the head and the heart of every false teacher, and impenitent hearer. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:20

Wherefore by their fruits, etc. - This truth is often repeated, because our eternal interests depend so much upon it. Not to have good fruit is to have evil: there can be no innocent sterility in the invisible tree of the heart. He that brings forth no fruit, and he that brings forth bad fruit, are both only fit for the fire. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:15

Verse 15 Matthew 7:15.But beware of false prophets These words were intended to teach, that the Church would be exposed to various impositions, and that consequently many would be in danger of falling from the faith, if they were not carefully on their guard. We know what a strong propensity men have to falsehood, so that they not only have a natural desire to be deceived, but each individual appears to be ingenious in deceiving himself. Satan, who is a wonderful contriver of delusions, is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:16

Verse 16 16.From their fruits you shall know them Had not this mark of distinction been added, we might have called in question the authority of all teachers without exception. If there is a mortal danger to be dreaded in teachers, and if we see no way of avoiding it, we shall be under the necessity of holding them all suspected: and there will be no better or shorter method than to keep our ears shut against them all. We see that ungodly men, to screen themselves when rejecting every kind of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-20

Various 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 righteous, and despised others; they made an ostentatious display of their own supposed good deeds, and passed stern judgments on their neighbours. The righteousness of Christ's disciples must exceed that of the Pharisees in both respects. Indeed, Christ's words must not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:13-20

Two 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 . Its gate is wide. 3 . Its company is large. 4 . Its end is destruction. II. THE WAY OF LIFE . 1 . It is strait. 2 . Its gate is narrow. 3 . The company is select. 4 . Its end is life. III. WHICH... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 7:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:13-20

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