Matthew 7:15-23
The King exposes false prophets and false disciples by their fruit and by final judgment before Him.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
18 A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
19 Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’
23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
The King exposes false prophets and false disciples by their fruit and by final judgment before him.
Matthew records Jesus warning his hearers that the narrow way is threatened by false prophets and false profession, both exposed by fruit and final judgment.
The Sermon on the Mount, as Jesus presses his hearers toward response and warns them about deception.
Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder
Jesus closes the Sermon by demanding humble discernment, dependent prayer, narrow-way obedience, true fruit, and a life built on hearing and doing his authoritative words.