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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 7:14–17

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 14

  1. Luke 13:23–30Rank 1 from verse 14
    Open

    23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

    24¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

    25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

    26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

    27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

    28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

    29And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

    30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

  2. Matthew 22:14Rank 2 from verse 14
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    14For many are called, but few are chosen.

  3. Matthew 16:24–25Rank 3 from verse 14
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    24¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

    25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

  4. Romans 12:2Rank 4 from verse 14
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    2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  5. Isaiah 35:8Rank 5 from verse 14
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    8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

From verse 15

  1. 1 John 4:1Rank 1 from verse 15
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    1BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  2. 2 Peter 2:1–3Rank 2 from verse 15
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    1BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

    2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

    3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

  3. Matthew 24:11Rank 3 from verse 15
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    11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

  4. Acts 20:29–31Rank 4 from verse 15
    Open

    29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

    30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

    31Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

  5. Mark 13:22–23Rank 5 from verse 15
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    22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

    23But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

From verse 16

  1. Luke 6:43–45Rank 1 from verse 16
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    43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

    44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

    45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

  2. James 3:12Rank 2 from verse 16
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    12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

  3. Matthew 12:33Rank 3 from verse 16
    Open

    33Either 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.

  4. Matthew 7:20Rank 4 from verse 16
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    20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

  5. 2 Peter 2:10–18Rank 5 from verse 16
    Open

    10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

    11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

    12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

    13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

    14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

    15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

    16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

    17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

    18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

From verse 17

  1. Matthew 12:33–35Rank 1 from verse 17
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    33Either 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.

    34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35A 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.

  2. Galatians 5:22–24Rank 2 from verse 17
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    22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

    23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

    24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

  3. Ephesians 5:9Rank 3 from verse 17
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    9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

  4. Psalms 1:3Rank 4 from verse 17
    Open

    3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

  5. Colossians 1:10Rank 5 from verse 17
    Open

    10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 7:14

COMBINED MEANING

strait

↗

Sense 1: Narrow, close, confined, restricted, pressed, difficult, or allowing little room. Sense 2: A distress, perplexity, constraint, or position between competing pressures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

narrow

↗

Sense 1: Of little width; restricted, confined, or hard-pressed. Sense 2: To contract or make less wide.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

leadeth

↗

Third-person singular present form of lead, meaning to guide, conduct, or go before.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

find

↗

To discover, meet with, obtain, perceive, or learn by search or experience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 7:15

COMBINED MEANING

beware

↗

To take heed, be cautious, watch, or guard oneself against a person, act, teaching, danger, or neglect.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

false

↗

Not solid or sound; deceiving expectations. Not faithful or loyal; treacherous; perfidious; deceitful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

clothing

↗

Sense 1: Garments or covering for the body. Sense 2: Figuratively, that which covers or invests.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ravening

↗

Sense 1: Greedily seizing, tearing, or devouring. Sense 2: Violently predatory or exploitative.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 7:16

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fruits

↗

Sense 1: The produce of a plant; offspring. Sense 2: The result and effect of conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thorns

↗

Sense 1: Sharp spines or prickles. Sense 2: Thorn-bearing plants and figures of things that prick, obstruct, or grieve.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 7:17

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fruit

↗

Sense 1: The produce borne by plants or the land. Sense 2: Offspring or increase. Sense 3: A result, product, consequence, character, or work proceeding from something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

corrupt

↗

1. Morally spoiled, defiled, perverted, false, or turned from integrity. 2. Physically decayed, damaged, or unsound. 3. As a verb, to spoil, debase, pervert, or cause decay.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Matthew 7:13–20

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

7:13¶ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Selected passage

7:15¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Selected passage

7:16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Selected passage

7:17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Selected passage

7:18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

7:19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

7:20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

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