Matthew 7:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, the Savior remarked, "From their fruits ye shall know them." In heretics, one might occasionally observe an upright life; however, in those I have mentioned, this will never be the case. You may ask, what if they feign righteousness even here? But they can be easily discerned. The path that Christ commands us to follow is inherently difficult and demanding. The hypocrite is not inclined to work; their sole focus is on pretense, making them vulnerable to exposure. When the Lord states, "There are few who obtain it," He distinguishes these few from those who merely claim to have it, encouraging us to direct our attention not toward the pretenders but toward those who genuinely walk in the faith.

Their actions reveal their true nature, as one recognizes them by the outcomes of their lives. While they may conceal their intentions for a season, those who are vigilant will uncover the truth. Hypocrites resemble both vineyards and thorns: vineyards for their subtle harm and thorns for their craftiness and ability to deceive.

We should not allow ourselves to be swayed easily or without discernment by those who present themselves as bearers of truth; rather, we must evaluate each individual based on the qualities outlined in Scripture. Therefore, take heed of the false prophets who approach you in the appearance of sheep, yet are inwardly ravenous wolves; by their fruits you will recognize them (Matthew 7:15, 16).

If you can discern the type of trees by the fruit they bear, recognizing their flavor and quality, how much more should you be able to judge the servants of Christ by their actions? Although they may take pride in their reverence, they harbor a wicked spirit. Just as one does not gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, you should not expect to hear anything good from those who transgress the law, nor anything beneficial from betrayers. Hence, avoid them like the wolves of Arabia, like the thorns of disobedience and unrighteousness, and as barren trees.

This concept can also be viewed in connection with those who outwardly profess one thing while demonstrating another through their actions. This understanding is particularly crucial when considering heretics, who, through practices such as self-control, purity, and fasting, seem outwardly adorned in a form of godliness, yet within possess a spirit tainted by malice. Their deceit leads astray the hearts of the more unsuspecting brethren. Consequently, by the detrimental outcomes of their actions, which undermine innocence, they resemble fierce wolves.

It is beneficial to protect the mind from being influenced by the desires of the flesh. The Lord reminds us: They do not gather figs from the thistle, which means one cannot derive virtue from passions, nor gather grapes from thorns, indicating that true joy and wisdom cannot come from the flesh.

You will know them by their fruits. Although they may appear concealed, He indicates that they will be revealed with ease. The path I instructed my disciples to follow is challenging and uncomfortable, making it impossible for hypocrites to tread. Just as a good tree is identified not by its blossoms but by its fruit, so too should we discern them not through their words, but through their actions. The Apostle Paul also remarked that they mislead the innocent with flattery and persuasive speech (Romans 16:18). Paul further illustrates this by using an example, making it simpler to identify them. Do they gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thorns? When he asks if one would eat from thorns, it is a rhetorical inquiry. Therefore, He asks, “Do men gather grapes from thorns?” etc. It is worth noting that a turnip can also be classified as a thorn.

How can one discern between a genuine prophet and a false prophet? Listen, for the distinctions between both can be revealed through what I share. The true messenger of God can be identified by their deeds. Firstly, they exhibit qualities of serenity, humility, and meekness, distancing themselves from the evils and vanities of this present age. They place themselves below others, do not answer inquiries needlessly, and refrain from speaking in private settings; for the Spirit of God does not speak at one’s whim, but rather as it pleases the Lord.

When they shift from merely exposing divine truths to actively revealing and interpreting them, you will encounter the bitterness of innovation and recognize the foul odor of heresy. You will see the safeguard being dismantled, the boundaries set by the Father being overstepped, the universal faith growing rigid, and the Church's doctrine being dismantled. These were the individuals whom the Apostle Paul addresses in his Second Letter to the Corinthians, characterizing them as: ‘Such false apostles, evil workers, take the form of the apostles of Christ’ (2 Cor. 11:13).

Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, through His numerous salvific teachings and commandments, guides us who have faith in Him along the path of enduring and unfailing understanding of God. He also cautions us, stating, ‘Take heed from false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).’ The Compassionate One, instructing us on recognizing these deceivers and avoiding harm, adds that you shall know them by their fruits. He refers to false prophets as false teachers, or heretics, who speak from a place of earthly wisdom rather than in accordance with the Gospel truth. They mislead the hearts of simple souls with their cunning deceit.

Beware of false prophets; their true nature is revealed through their actions, their environment, and the outcomes of their efforts. Do not be misled by their persuasive words or soft-spoken demeanor, which may seem to convey gentleness, humility, and love. Avoid being swayed by the pleasant expressions that adorn their faces and the congeniality that shines in their eyes. Do not fall for the deceptive narratives they craft about themselves, nor the accolades and high praises the world bestows upon them. Instead, observe their true fruits.

We should not identify the true teachers of faith by the acuity of their intellect, their eloquent speech, or their outward signs of humility and gentleness, but instead by the sanctity of their conduct and the alignment of their actions with the principles of the Gospel. Just as the quality of a tree is determined not by its leaves or bark but by the fruit it produces, the nature of the tree is mirrored in its yield. Grapes do not grow on thornbushes, nor do figs emerge from thistles. A genuine minister must embody devotion and moral integrity. A righteous person, drawing from the good treasure in their heart, produces beneficial deeds and words, just as a sound tree yields good fruit.

Similarly, an individual is not defined by their speech, but rather by their actions, their life and conduct: "by their fruits you shall know them!" Focus not on their teachings, which can be challenging for the unwise and untrained to discern and counter, but rather on their behavior. The path I instructed My followers to follow is arduous and demanding; those who are insincere cannot traverse it, as they lack the essential quality of humility. Do they gather sweet grapes from the birch tree or the wholesome fruit from the turnip tree?

False teachers can be identified by the results of their actions, that is, by the way they live. In this context, St. Luke affirms (Lk. 6:44) that a good individual draws upon the good stored in their heart to produce positive outcomes, while a wicked person, from the evil within their heart, generates harmful results. Consequently, false teachers should be discerned through their actions: those who cherish the truth within themselves will make wise choices and engage in righteous behaviors, whereas those who harbor falsehood will yield deceitful talk and wrongful acts. The essence of a person's heart is revealed through their words and actions, as they express what overflows from within.

In examining Matthew 3:8, we see that the Lord provides the means to discern hypocritical false teachers and flatterers from genuine instructors. It is not solely their teachings, which can be challenging for the naive and inexperienced to identify and counter, but rather their lifestyle and actions (see Matthew 24:24; Matthew 12:33) that reveal their true nature. Just as fruit symbolizes human deeds and a growing tree represents an individual or human existence, the evaluation of a tree typically hinges on its fruit rather than its trunk, leaves, or blossoms. While blossoms might be stunning and the leaves plentiful and delicate, they serve merely as embellishments.