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

MATTHEW 7:15KJV
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Matthew 7:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 7:15 mean?

Matthew 7:15 warns listeners to be on guard against people who pretend to speak for God but are actually dangerous and deceptive. These "false prophets" may appear harmless or good on the outside, but their true intentions are harmful, like wolves disguised as sheep.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them how to recognize genuine spiritual leaders. The warning uses vivid imagery: "sheep's clothing" suggests innocence and gentleness, while "ravening wolves" points to those who are secretly destructive. Jesus is urging his audience to look beyond outward appearances and be discerning about whom they trust as spiritual guides.

The Greek behind Matthew 7:15

  • προφήτης (prophētēs, "prophets"): In Greek, this word refers to those who claim to speak on behalf of God. Here, it highlights that not everyone who claims spiritual authority is genuine.
  • ἔρχομαι (erchomai, "come"): The word for "come" here suggests an active approach—these false prophets seek out the community, not just passively existing.
  • ἔνδυμα προβάτου (enduma probatou, "sheep's clothing"): This phrase paints a picture of someone deliberately putting on a disguise to appear harmless, which emphasizes the intentional deception.
  • λύκοι ἅρπαγες (lykoi harpages, "ravening wolves"): The Greek word for "ravening" (ἅρπαγες, harpages) means greedy or grasping, stressing that these people are not just dangerous but also motivated by selfish gain.

Why Matthew 7:15 matters

  • Matthew 7:15 clarifies that outward appearances and claims of authority are not reliable indicators of true character or spiritual authenticity.
  • This verse is part of a larger section where Jesus teaches about discernment and warns against being misled, connecting to the broader theme of genuine versus false righteousness in the Sermon on the Mount.
  • The strong imagery helps readers understand the seriousness of the threat posed by false teachers and the importance of careful judgment in spiritual matters.

Where else these words appear

“ravening” Greek G727 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

“wolves” Greek G3074 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
  • John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

“clothing” Greek G1742 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Matthew 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

“prophets” Greek G5578 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
  • Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
  • 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.