1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good: or make the tree evil, and its fruit evil: for by the fruit the tree is known.

Either make the tree good, etc. This is connected with what had been said of their attributing his works to Beelzebub. He condemns them for blaspheming him on all occasions, when at the same time they were not able to find fault with his life and doctrine. Christ therefore tells them, that the tree is known by its fruit; and that if they cannot blame his actions, and his doctrine, they ought to allow him to be good, to be like the good tree; and that if they continue to blame him, they ought consequently to condemn his doctrine, yet this they were not able to do. (Witham)