You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”