Discovery BoxLuke 6:43-45 
Context6:43 “For 1 no good tree bears bad 2 fruit, nor again 3 does a bad tree bear good fruit, 6:44 for each tree is known 4 by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered 5 from thorns, nor are grapes picked 6 from brambles. 7 6:45 The good person out of the good treasury of his 8 heart 9 produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury 10 produces evil, for his mouth speaks 11 from what fills 12 his heart.
1 tn The explanatory connective γάρ (gar) is often dropped from translations, but the point of the passage is that one should be self-corrective and be careful who one follows (vv. 41-42), because such choices also reflect what the nature of the tree is and its product.
2 tn Grk “rotten.” The word σαπρός, modifying both “fruit” and “tree,” can also mean “diseased” (L&N 65.28).
3 tc Most
4 sn The principle of the passage is that one produces what one is.
5 tn Grk “they do not gather”; this has been simplified to the passive voice in the translation since the subject “they” is not specified further in the context.
6 tn This is a different verb (τρυγῶσιν, trugwsin) for gathering from the previous one (συλλέγουσιν, sullegousin).
7 tn This is a different term (βάτος, batos) for a thorn or bramble bush than the previous one (ἄκανθα, akanqa).
sn The statement nor are grapes picked from brambles illustrates the principle: That which cannot produce fruit, does not produce fruit.
8 tn Grk “the”; the Greek article has been translated here and in the following clause (“out of the evil”) as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
9 sn Mention of the heart shows that Jesus is not interested in what is done, but why. Motives are more important than actions for him.
10 tn The word “treasury” is not repeated in the Greek text at this point, but is implied.
11 sn What one utters from one’s mouth is especially singled out as the example of this principle. James seems to have known this teaching (Jas 1:26; 3:1-12).
12 tn Grk “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
