Luke 6:43-45
The mouth reveals what the heart stores, just as fruit reveals the tree.
43 For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.
44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
The mouth reveals what the heart stores, just as fruit reveals the tree.
Luke records Jesus’ tree-and-fruit teaching to show that visible conduct and speech reveal the true condition of the heart, so disciples must seek inner transformation rather than mere outward correction or religious appearance.
Jesus continues the Sermon on the Plain after teaching about judging, forgiving, giving, blind guides, and removing the plank before helping a brother. He now turns to the source of conduct: the nature of the tree and the treasure of the heart.
The Lord of the Sabbath Forms a Kingdom People
Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath and teacher of the kingdom, forms a people whose lives are marked by mercy, enemy-love, fruitful hearts, and obedient foundations under His word.