A Tree and Its Fruit

Jesus warns that false prophets can wear sheep’s clothing while carrying wolf-like intent. He says fruit reveals what a tree really is, since good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit, with the fruitless tree cut down and burned. He then warns that calling him Lord and performing impressive works is not enough; only doing the Father’s will leads into the kingdom, and lawless workers will be rejected by him.

B¹⁵eware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. ²¹Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²²Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’