7:16–20
In 7:16–20, Jesus used an extended metaphor. In this metaphor, the deeds of false prophets are compared to the bad fruit that a bad tree/bush produces. The deeds of true prophets are compared to the good fruit that a good tree or good vine produces. Just as we can recognize a bad tree by the bad fruit it produces, so we can recognize false prophets by the deeds they do.
When you translate 7:16–20, you should keep most of the metaphor because:
(a) it extends over five verses
(b) Jesus explained it in 7:20
7:16a
By their fruit: The word By here means “by means of” or “according to.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
From their fruits
-or-
Because of their fruits
-or-
When you see their fruits
their fruit: The word fruit is a metaphor. In this metaphor, the deeds/actions of the false prophets are compared to fruit. They are similar in that both allow something or someone to be identified. Just as fruit helps identify the type of tree it came from, deeds help identify the type of person who did them.
Here are some other ways to translate this figure of speech:
• Translate the verse literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:
The “fruits” are the deeds of people. When we see a person’s deeds, we know whether that person did something good or bad. This is like seeing the fruit on a tree and knowing the kind of tree it is.
• Translate the metaphor as a simile and explain the meaning in the text. For example:
You will know who they are ⌊by their deeds. It is like you will know a tree⌋ by its fruit.
• Translate the meaning without using a metaphor. For example:
You will know them by what they do (Good News Translation)
you: The pronoun you is plural and refers to all of Jesus’ listeners.
will recognize: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as recognize also means simply “will know.” For example:
will know (Revised Standard Version)
them: The pronoun them refers to the false prophets.
7:16b–c
Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize the fact that people do not pick grapes from thorn bushes, and they do not pick figs from thistles. You should translate in a way that emphasizes this meaning.
Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (New International Version)
-or-
People don’t pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles, do they? (God’s Word)
• As a statement. For example:
People certainly do not pick grapes from thorn bushes, and they do not pick figs from thistles.
7:16b
grapes: The word grapes refers to small, round, edible fruit that grow in bunches on a vine. A grapevine does not have thorns.
Grapes only grow in certain parts of the world. If you live in an area where there are no grapes, you can:
• Use a general word for fruit and transliterate the word grapes into your language. For example:
fruit called grapes
(Note that grapes and grapefruit are not the same thing.)
• Use a general word for fruit and include that it was from a vine. But choose something that does not have thorns. For example:
⌊vine⌋ fruit
• Use a word for fruit commonly eaten in your area. If possible choose one that is small, round, and grows in bunches. It should not grow on a bush with thorns.
thornbushes: The word thornbushes refers to a bush (or small tree) that has thorns. It does not bear edible fruit. It is not useful for anything, and is a problem plant for farmers.
7:16c
or figs from thistles: The words “are…gathered” are implied from the previous clause but are not repeated here. In some languages, it is more natural to repeat some of those words. For example:
or ⌊are⌋ figs ⌊gathered⌋ from thistles
-or-
⌊Do people pick⌋ figs from thistles
Ripe fig on a branch
figs: The word figs refers to medium-sized, edible fruit that grow on the “fig” tree. Figs only grow in certain parts of the world. If you live in an area where there are no figs, you can:
• Use a general word for fruit and transliterate the word figs into your language. For example:
⌊tree⌋ fruit named figs
• Use a general word for fruit and include that it was from a tree, since the exact kind of fruit is not important:
⌊tree⌋ fruit
• Use a word for fruit commonly eaten in your area. If possible choose one that is medium-sized and grows on trees. It should not grow on a thistle bush.
thistles: The word thistles refers to a bush that has many thorns on the leaves and stems. It does not bear edible fruit. It is not useful for anything, and is a problem plant for farmers.
Here is another way to translate this word:
thorny weeds (New Century Version)
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