Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Beware {G1161}{G4337} of {G575} false prophets {G5578}, which {G3748} come {G2064} to {G4314} you {G5209} in {G1722} sheep's {G4263} clothing {G1742}, but {G1161} inwardly {G2081} they are {G1526} ravening {G727} wolves {G3074}.

"Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep's clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves!

Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:15 serves as a crucial warning from Jesus within His Sermon on the Mount, cautioning His followers against deceptive spiritual leaders.

Context

This verse is strategically placed towards the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), a pivotal teaching of Jesus. Following His instructions on entering the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), Jesus immediately addresses the threat of false teachers. It prepares the listeners for the subsequent teaching on identifying these individuals by their fruits, emphasizing the critical need for spiritual discernment in their walk of faith.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Discernment: The primary message is the imperative for believers to be vigilant and discerning. Jesus warns that not all who claim to speak for God are genuine. This requires careful evaluation of teachings and character.
  • Deception and Appearance vs. Reality: The vivid imagery of "sheep's clothing" highlights the deceptive nature of false prophets. They present an outward facade of innocence, piety, or orthodoxy, designed to gain trust and blend in with true believers. This contrasts sharply with their destructive inner nature.
  • Harmful Intentions: The phrase "ravening wolves" reveals the true, predatory intent of these individuals. Like wolves that plunder and destroy a flock, false teachers aim to exploit, mislead, and spiritually harm those they influence, often for personal gain or to lead people away from sound doctrine.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "beware" is prosechete (προσέχετε), which means "to hold the mind towards," implying a need for active vigilance, attention, and caution. It's not a passive warning but a call to active watchfulness.
  • "False prophets" comes from pseudoprophetai (ψευδοπροφῆται), a compound word meaning "lying prophets." This indicates that their claims to divine inspiration or authority are fundamentally untrue and often intentionally deceptive.
  • "Ravening wolves" translates lykoi harpages (λύκοι ἅρπαγες). Harpages specifically means "greedy, rapacious, plundering," emphasizing the destructive and exploitative nature of these individuals, who seek to snatch away or devour the flock for their own selfish purposes.

Practical Application

This warning from Jesus remains profoundly relevant today. In an age of diverse spiritual claims and readily available information, believers must cultivate strong spiritual discernment. To guard against false prophets:

  • Test the Message: Always compare what is taught against the unchanging truth of God's Word (the Bible). Does it align with sound doctrine?
  • Examine the Fruit: As Jesus elaborates in the very next verse, the character and results of a teacher's life and ministry will eventually reveal their true nature. Look for genuine love, humility, integrity, and adherence to Christ's teachings, rather than just charisma or popularity.
  • Beware of Selfish Motives: False teachers often operate with self-serving agendas, seeking wealth, power, or personal glory, rather than truly serving God and His people (2 Peter 2:3).

By heeding this warning, believers can protect themselves and their communities from spiritual harm and remain steadfast in the true faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 4:1

    ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    ¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

  • 2 Peter 2:3

    ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

  • Matthew 24:11

    And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

  • Mark 13:22

    For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.

  • Mark 13:23

    But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

  • Acts 20:29

    For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
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