Matthew 7:17 - Exposition

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 ).