“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”
King James Version (KJV)
7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree good fruit - But it is certain, the goodness or badness here mentioned respects the doctrine, rather than the personal character. For a bad man preaching the good doctrine here delivered, is sometimes an instrument of converting sinners to God. Yet I do not aver, that all are true prophets who speak the truth, and thereby convert sinners. I only affirm, that none are such who do not.
Mt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth bad fruit. The Lord points to the uniform law of nature. Every tree bears after its kind. The same principle holds good in the moral world. A good man will show forth good deeds, while a bad man will bear fruit according to his nature.