Matthew 7:19 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 7:19 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. The consequence for the diseased tree that bears bad fruit is not merely identification but removal: cut down and thrown into the fire. The image returns to John the Baptist's warning in Matthew 3:10 — the same cutting down and fire language. The prophet and the Messiah share the same eschatological seriousness about what the fruit examination reveals. The fire is not purgatorial but destructive; the tree that cannot be reformed is removed. John 15:2 says the Father prunes every branch that does not bear fruit and removes it.

Church Fathers on Matthew 7:19

The Lord had before commanded His Apostles, that they should not do their alms, prayers, and fastings before men, as the hypocrites; and that they might know that all these things may be done in hypocrisy, He speaks saying, 'Take heed of false prophets.'
Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century

When the Lord had said that there were few that find the strait gate and narrow way, that heretics, who often commend themselves because of the smallness of their numbers, might not here intrude themselves, He straightway subjoins, 'Take heed of false prophets.'
Augustine · 4th century · Serm. in Mont., ii, 23

Having taught that the gate is strait, because there are many that pervert the way that leads to it, He proceeds, 'Take heed of false prophets.' In the which that they might be the more careful, He reminds them of the things that were done among their fathers, calling them 'false prophets;' for even in that day the like things fell out.
Chrysostom · 4th century

Read all 21 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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