Matthew 7:15 kjv
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:15 nkjv
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15 niv
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Matthew 7:15 esv
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:15 nlt
"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
Matthew 7 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 13:1-5 | "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you... you shall not listen to..." | Tests for a true prophet. |
| Deut 18:20-22 | "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name... he shall die." | Discerning true from false prophecy. |
| Jer 14:14 | "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them..." | God's warning against lying prophets. |
| Jer 23:16-17 | "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you..." | False prophets offering false hope. |
| Jer 23:21-22 | "I did not send the prophets, yet they ran..." | Prophets acting without God's sending. |
| Eze 13:1-7 | "Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit..." | Condemnation of prophets prophesying from their own minds. |
| Matt 7:16-20 | "You will recognize them by their fruits." | The immediate context and method of discernment. |
| Luke 6:43-45 | "For no good tree bears bad fruit..." | Identifying people by their inner nature revealed through actions. |
| John 10:1-13 | "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life..." | Jesus as the Good Shepherd contrasted with wolves/thieves. |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you..." | Paul's warning about internal false teachers in the church. |
| 2 Cor 11:13-15 | "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ... even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." | Description of false apostles and their satanic origin. |
| Gal 1:8-9 | "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you..." | Warning against false gospels. |
| Phil 3:2 | "Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh." | Strong warning against specific opponents. |
| 1 Tim 4:1 | "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith..." | Warning against deceitful spirits and doctrines. |
| 2 Tim 3:1-5 | "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money..." | Description of characteristics of those opposing truth. |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you..." | Parallel warning to Matt 7:15, detailing their deceptive practices. |
| Jude 1:4 | "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation..." | Warning against ungodly intruders who pervert grace. |
| Jude 1:12-13 | "These are hidden reefs at your love feasts..." | Graphic depiction of false teachers as dangerous elements. |
| Rev 2:2 | "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and that you cannot bear with those who are evil..." | Commending discernment in the Ephesian church. |
| Rev 16:13 | "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon..." | False prophets associated with demonic spirits. |
| Isa 56:9-11 | "All you beasts of the field, come to devour, all you beasts in the forest... His watchmen are blind..." | Prophecy against unfaithful and greedy leaders likened to blind watchmen/devouring beasts. |
| Ezek 34:1-10 | "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?" | Condemnation of corrupt spiritual leaders who exploit the flock. |
Matthew 7 verses
Matthew 7 15 Meaning
Matthew 7:15 serves as a critical warning from Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, admonishing His disciples to exercise extreme caution against individuals who masquerade as God's messengers. These deceptive figures appear benign and belong to the "flock" but harbor malevolent intentions to exploit and destroy. The verse highlights the perilous nature of false spiritual leadership that preys on believers through cunning disguise.
Matthew 7 15 Context
Matthew 7:15 is a pivotal warning within the climactic section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Having established the nature of true righteousness (Ch. 5), the necessity of sincerity in devotion (Ch. 6), and the need for wise living (early Ch. 7), Jesus now turns to discernment. The preceding verses emphasize seeking God and the "narrow gate" (Matt 7:7-14), setting the stage for understanding who can genuinely lead others along that path. This verse directly introduces the crucial test for true discipleship and leadership: "by their fruits you will recognize them" (Matt 7:16).
Historically, in ancient Israel, prophets held immense authority. The Mosaic Law provided specific tests for discerning true prophets from false ones (Deut 13, 18). Jesus' warning here echoes and amplifies this concern, directly addressing a contemporary challenge where individuals might claim divine authority or spiritual insight, often for personal gain or to lead people astray from the true path of the Kingdom. The Sermon's call for radical internal transformation (Matt 5:21-48) is diametrically opposed to the hypocrisy and destructive nature of these "false prophets," serving as a polemic against external religious display without inward authenticity.
Matthew 7 15 Word analysis
Beware: Greek: Prosechete (προσέχετε). This is an imperative verb, meaning "pay attention," "take heed," or "be on guard." It conveys an urgent, active command for vigilant spiritual watchfulness. It implies the need for careful observation and critical assessment rather than passive acceptance.
of false prophets: Greek: Pseudoprophētai (ψευδοπροφῆται). A compound word: pseudos (ψευδος) meaning "falsehood" or "lie," and prophētēs (προφήτης) meaning "one who speaks for God." Therefore, it means "one who falsely claims to speak for God," a deceiver or imposter. In the Old Testament, false prophets spoke dreams or visions from their own imagination (Jer 23:26), sought popularity (Mic 2:11), or led people to worship other gods (Deut 13:2). In the New Testament, they spread heretical doctrines and destructive heresies (2 Pet 2:1).
who come to you: This phrase emphasizes their active, deliberate approach to the community of believers. They are not distant threats but actively seek access and influence within the fold, often targeting specific groups or individuals with their deceptive teachings. It suggests accessibility and seeming approachability, further enhancing their deceptive appearance.
in sheep's clothing: Greek: en endymasmas probatōn (ἐν ἐνδύμασι προβάτων). This is a vivid metaphor. "Sheep's clothing" refers to an outward appearance of innocence, gentleness, and harmlessness. It signifies disguise and mimicry of true believers or genuine shepherds/leaders of God's flock (symbolized by sheep, often representing God's people or disciples, e.g., Ps 100:3; Matt 9:36). They adopt the outward marks of piety, orthodoxy, or even humility, making them indistinguishable from genuine spiritual guides to the undiscerning eye.
but inwardly: Greek: esōthen (ἔσωθεν). This adverb directly contrasts with "outwardly" implied by "in sheep's clothing." It points to their true, hidden character, motives, and intentions. This spiritual interior is corrupted and malicious, starkly different from their presented exterior. It highlights the biblical principle that God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7), and that true character eventually manifests itself (Luke 6:43-45).
are ravenous wolves: Greek: lykoi harpages (λύκοι ἅρπαγες). This is another powerful metaphor revealing their true nature. "Wolves" are predatory animals, natural enemies of sheep, known for their aggression and destructiveness (Acts 20:29). "Ravenous" (harpages) means rapacious, greedy, or seizing by force. These terms together describe their insatiable desire to devour, exploit, and destroy the flock—not merely to mislead, but to tear apart and scatter. Their ultimate goal is self-serving, whether it's gaining wealth, power, prestige, or satisfying perverse desires, at the expense of those they deceive.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Beware of false prophets": This immediate direct warning sets the tone for urgent discernment, signaling a dangerous spiritual threat.
- "who come to you in sheep's clothing": This phrase paints the picture of their method: deliberate, insidious infiltration. Their outward persona is one of trustworthiness, humility, and even belonging, designed to disarm and attract. This points to the need to look beyond superficial appearances.
- "but inwardly are ravenous wolves": This stark contrast reveals their hidden, destructive reality. It underscores the profound hypocrisy and malicious intent hidden beneath their benign facade, emphasizing their true, predatory nature and the harm they inflict upon the spiritual community. The conflict between the deceptive outward presentation and the destructive inward reality is the central point of the verse.
Matthew 7 15 Bonus section
The metaphor of "sheep and wolves" resonates throughout Scripture, deeply rooted in both Old Testament prophetic critiques of corrupt leadership (Eze 34; Isa 56) and Jesus' self-identification as the Good Shepherd (John 10). This imagery highlights the intrinsic vulnerability of God's people (the "sheep") without faithful shepherds, making the presence of "wolves" within the fold exceptionally dangerous. The warning in Matthew 7:15 is not merely a caution against isolated individuals but points to a perennial threat that will continue to challenge the Christian community until Christ's return (Acts 20:29-30). Discernment, therefore, becomes a continuous necessity for believers, demanding not only intellectual vigilance but also a heart attuned to the Holy Spirit and deeply rooted in God's Word.
Matthew 7 15 Commentary
Matthew 7:15 serves as a profound warning about spiritual deception, highlighting that those who pose the greatest threat to faith and community often do so from within and through guile, not overt opposition. Jesus cautions His followers not against obvious enemies, but against those who adopt the appearance of holiness, orthodoxy, and innocence. These "false prophets" are not easily identifiable by external cues; they look, speak, and act like genuine believers, or even exemplary spiritual leaders, adopting the language and symbols of the faithful ("sheep's clothing").
However, their internal nature is diametrically opposed to the love and truth of Christ. Like "ravenous wolves," their ultimate goal is self-gain and the destruction of the flock. This destruction might come through promoting false doctrines, leading people into moral compromise, stirring up division, or financially exploiting them. The damage they inflict is not merely misleading, but spiritually devastating, tearing apart the very fabric of true faith and community. The warning implies that true discipleship requires spiritual maturity and vigilance to discern not just overt evil, but subtle and camouflaged wickedness, emphasizing that true discernment goes beyond appearance to the fruit of a person's life and teaching (Matt 7:16). This principle remains acutely relevant in all ages for identifying authentic spiritual leadership.
Examples of practical usage:
- Examining character alongside claims: A spiritual leader may preach well but demonstrate a lack of humility, integrity, or love for people, signaling the "wolf" beneath the "sheep's clothing."
- Testing teachings against Scripture: Even if teachings sound spiritual, they must be rigorously compared to the entirety of God's Word to ensure they are not subtle distortions leading away from Christ.
- Observing patterns of behavior: True discernment looks at consistent patterns of behavior, results, and long-term impact on people's lives, not just isolated acts or charismatic presentations.