Matthew 7:16

ἀπὸ τ. καρπῶν. By the nature of the case difficult to detect, but discernible from their fruit. ἐπιγνώσεσθε. Ye shall know them through and through (ἐπί) if ye study carefully the outcome of their whole way of life.

Matthew 7:16. μήτι, do they perhaps, τι suggesting doubt where there is none = men never do collect, or think of collecting, grapes from thorns or figs from thistles. And yet the idea is not absurd. There were thorns with grape-like fruit, and thistles with heads like figs (Holtz., H.C.). But in the natural sphere these resemblances never deceived; men saw at a glance how the matter stood.