Jesus compares the actions of the prophets to fruit produced by plants. Alternate translation: "by the way they act." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
## Do people gather …? ##
"People do not gather …." The people Jesus is talking to would have known that the answer is no. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
## good tree brings forth good fruit ##
Jesus continues to use the metaphor of fruit to refer to good prophets who produce good works or words.
## ruined tree brings forth bad fruit ##
Jesus continues to use the metaphor of fruit to refer to bad prophets who produce evil works or words.