Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Ye shall know them by their fruits - not their doctrines-as many of the older interpreters and some later ones explain it-for that corresponds to the tree itself; but the practical effect of their teaching, which is the proper fruit of the tree.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, [ akanthoon (G173 ), any kind of prickly plant], or figs of thistles?
х triboloon (G5146)] - a three-pronged variety. The general sense is obvious-Every tree bears its own fruit.