King James Version

What Does Matthew 12:33 Mean?

Matthew 12:33 in the King James Version says “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is kno...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.”

Matthew 12:33 · KJV

Context

31

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32

And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Read Matthew 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.' Jesus shifts from blasphemy teaching to principle: tree and fruit must match. You can't have good tree producing bad fruit or vice versa. The verb 'make' (ποιήσατε/poiēsate) means 'declare, consider, judge'—Jesus commands consistent judgment. If fruit is good (miracles healing, liberating, blessing), the tree must be good. If fruit is bad, tree is bad. The Pharisees' error: acknowledging good fruit (miracles) while claiming bad tree (demonic power). This is logically impossible. Reformed theology applies this broadly: genuine faith produces genuine fruit (James 2:17-20); false faith produces false fruit. Profession must match practice; words must align with works. The verse warns against inconsistency: you cannot praise Jesus's words while rejecting His authority, claim faith while living in unrepentant sin, confess Christ while denying Him in practice. Tree determines fruit; character determines conduct; inner reality produces outward expression.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tree/fruit metaphor appears throughout Scripture: Psalm 1:3 (righteous like fruitful tree), Jeremiah 17:8 (blessed like tree by water), Matthew 7:16-20 (know them by fruits), John 15:1-8 (vine and branches), Galatians 5:22-23 (fruit of Spirit). Jesus used this familiar imagery to expose Pharisees' illogic: they witnessed good fruit yet claimed evil tree. Jewish agricultural experience made the point obvious—healthy trees produce healthy fruit; diseased trees produce diseased fruit. You identify tree type by examining fruit. Applied to Jesus: His fruit (miracles healing, delivering, blessing) demonstrated His tree (divine authority, Spirit's power). Pharisees' refusal to draw obvious conclusion revealed bad faith. Early church used this principle evaluating teachers and prophets (Matthew 7:15-20, 1 John 4:1-6)—examine fruit (doctrine, lifestyle, effects) to assess tree (genuine versus false). Throughout history, church has struggled balancing: don't judge prematurely (seeds need time to grow) versus recognize persistent bad fruit indicates bad tree. The principle remains: genuine faith inevitably produces corresponding fruit.

Reflection Questions

  1. What fruit (works, character, relationships, priorities) demonstrates the condition of your heart—is tree matching fruit?
  2. How do you evaluate teachers, churches, and movements—what fruit indicates good versus corrupt trees?
  3. What's the difference between immature fruit (genuine faith still growing) and bad fruit (false profession)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ἢ1 of 27

“Either”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ποιήσατε2 of 27

“make”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸ3 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δένδρον4 of 27

“the tree”

G1186

a tree

καλόν·5 of 27

“good”

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

καὶ6 of 27

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν7 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρποῦ8 of 27

“fruit”

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

αὐτοῦ9 of 27

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καλόν·10 of 27

“good”

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

ἢ11 of 27

“Either”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ποιήσατε12 of 27

“make”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὸ13 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δένδρον14 of 27

“the tree”

G1186

a tree

σαπρόν·15 of 27

“corrupt”

G4550

rotten, i.e., worthless (literally or morally)

καὶ16 of 27

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν17 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρποῦ18 of 27

“fruit”

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

αὐτοῦ19 of 27

“his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

σαπρόν·20 of 27

“corrupt”

G4550

rotten, i.e., worthless (literally or morally)

ἐκ21 of 27

“by”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

γὰρ22 of 27

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τοῦ23 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρποῦ24 of 27

“fruit”

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

τὸ25 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δένδρον26 of 27

“the tree”

G1186

a tree

γινώσκεται27 of 27

“is known”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 12:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 12:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 6:43-44Matthew 7:16-20James 4:8John 15:4-7Matthew 3:8-10Luke 11:39-40

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