Matthew 12:33

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.

Cross-references

In Matthew 3:8-10, John the Baptist uses the same tree/fruit metaphor to warn of judgment for fruitless repentance.

In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus teaches the identical principle: you know a tree by its fruit, a direct parallel.

Matthew 7:17 uses the identical tree-fruit metaphor, reinforcing the principle that good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit.

Matthew 13:23 describes good soil bearing fruit, a different agricultural metaphor for the same principle that inner goodness produces outward results.

Matthew 23:26 uses inner cleaning imagery, paralleling the tree/fruit metaphor: inner condition determines outward.

Luke 3:9 Parallel

In Luke 3:9, John the Baptist warns that every tree not bearing good fruit is cut down, echoing the judgment theme.

Luke 6:43 Parallel

In Luke 6:43, Jesus states a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, the exact same teaching rephrased.

Luke 6:44 Parallel

In Luke 6:44, Jesus says each tree is known by its own fruit, directly reinforcing the identification principle.

Luke 11:40 Parallel

In Luke 11:40, Jesus argues that inner and outer must match, echoing the principle that a tree's fruit reveals its nature.

James 3:12 Parallel

In James 3:12, he asks if a fig tree can bear olives, demonstrating the consistency of fruit with its source.

Jeremiah 4:14 urges washing the heart from evil to change behavior, directly paralleling the need for a good tree to bear good fruit.

Galatians 5:22 lists fruit of the Spirit — directly corresponding to the good fruit from a good tree.

In John 15:4-7, Jesus uses the vine and branches to teach that fruitfulness comes from abiding in Him, expanding the metaphor.

Proverbs 10:16 contrasts the outcomes of righteous and wicked labor, paralleling the fruit-from-tree distinction.

Ezekiel 18:31 calls for a new heart and spirit, echoing the idea of making the tree good—inner transformation.

James 4:8 Parallel

In James 4:8, purifying heart and hands reinforces that inner purity yields righteous actions, just as good trees bear good fruit.