Matthew 7:15-16
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Jesus isn't just warning about people who teach wrong doctrines; he's pointing out how these deceivers use a guise of innocence and gentleness to hide their true predatory nature. The key is that this outward appearance of being "sheep" is a deliberate disguise, meant to make them seem harmless and part of God's flock while they are inwardly driven by greed and a desire to "devour."
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just described the narrow gate and difficult path that lead to life, contrasting it with the broad gate and easy way that lead to destruction. This verse launches into a warning about deceptive spiritual leaders who present a seemingly harmless appearance to lead people astray from that true path. These individuals, Jesus explains, are inwardly dangerous and driven by selfish motives.
Ever felt fooled by someone who seemed good but had bad intentions? Jesus warns us about a specific kind of deception.
Jesus uses a powerful, memorable image: a wolf disguised as a sheep.
The Deceptive Exterior
This disguise isn't just about looking innocent. It's about appearing to be part of God's flock, to gain trust and access. They present themselves with "fair professions of love" and "a form of godliness" (Benson). They might even speak about religious matters, seeming harmless and gentle, just like sheep.
The Hidden Danger
But underneath this gentle facade lies a "ravenous wolf" (Matthew 7:15). This wolf isn't interested in nurturing the flock; it's driven by greed and a desire to destroy. The commentaries highlight that their aim is to "feed themselves" and "rob them of their earthly good" (Clarke, Poole), rather than to truly feed or save souls. They are "bent on devouring the flock for their own ends" (JFB).
How can we discern truth from deception when the disguise is so good?
Jesus doesn't leave us guessing. He provides a clear, practical way to identify these false prophets.
The Test of Results
Jesus says, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits' (Matthew 7:15-16). This isn't about judging someone's salvation status, but about evaluating the results of their teaching and influence.
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What Are "Fruits"?
Understand the original words
pseudoprophētōn · Greek Noun
Individuals who claim to speak for God but promote doctrines or behaviors contrary to His revealed truth. They are inherently deceptive and lead others away from salvation.
lykoi harpages · Greek Noun phrase
A predatory animal often used as a metaphor for individuals or forces that violently attack, exploit, or consume the vulnerable flock of God for their own gain.
epiginōskō · Greek Verb
To identify, distinguish, or perceive the nature of something or someone. In this context, it refers to the spiritual discernment required to identify true believers from false prophets.
karpos · Greek Noun
The external actions, character, or results produced by a person's life. In a theological sense, it refers to the evidence of the Holy Spirit's transforming work within a believer.
akantha · Greek Noun
A prickly or thorny plant; metaphorically used in Scripture to represent something worthless, unproductive, or indicative of the curse of the Fall.
tribolos · Greek Noun
A plant species noted for its prickly nature, often symbolic of unproductive labor or the consequences of living apart from God's blessing.
Jesus' warning against false prophets wasn't just a hypothetical scenario; it was a direct confrontation with the religious realities of his day and a prophetic word for the enduring struggles the church would face throughout history, underscoring the constant need for discernment.
c. 8th-7th century BC
Ezekiel Condemns False Prophets
The prophet Ezekiel fiercely denounces false prophets who misled Israel with comforting but untrue messages, preying on the people and the nation for their own gain. This sets a long-standing precedent for God’s judgment on deceptive religious leaders.
c. 1st century AD
Pharisaic Legalism and Hypocrisy
During Jesus' time, the Pharisees were a prominent religious group. While some were sincere, many were criticized for outward displays of piety that masked inner corruption and self-serving motives, making them a contemporary example of 'wolves in sheep's clothing.'
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Delivers the Sermon on the Mount
In this pivotal teaching, Jesus lays out the core principles of his kingdom, contrasting the true path with the deceptive ways of false teachers. He issues a direct warning against those who would lead his followers astray.
c. AD 50-60
Paul Warns Against False Apostles
Writing to the Corinthian church, Paul directly addresses the danger of 'false apostles' who disguise themselves as servants of Christ. His warnings echo Jesus’ caution about deceptive teachers who exploit believers.
c. AD 60-65
Peter Warns of False Teachers
The Apostle Peter writes about the future emergence of false teachers who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, appealing to distorted desires and exploiting people through their greed. This reinforces the ongoing threat Jesus predicted.
c. AD 90-100
John Warns Against Antichrists
The Apostle John writes his epistles, specifically addressing those who have gone out from the community – false prophets and antichrists – who deny Jesus’ identity and try to deceive believers. He offers tests, like adherence to sound doctrine and love, to discern them.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' warning, describing false prophets who have built up the wall of Jerusalem with untempered mortar, plastering over danger instead of truly protecting the people.
Jeremiah 23:13-14Jeremiah denounces prophets who prophesy by Baal and lead his people Israel astray, likening them to a disgusting thing and describing their words as morally corrupt and destructive, mirroring the 'ravenous wolves' idea.
Acts 20:29-30Paul warns the Ephesian elders about 'grievous wolves' who will come in among them, not sparing the flock, and even people from within their own ranks who will distort the truth, showing this is a recurring danger in the church.
2 Peter 2:1-3Peter describes false teachers who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and exploit people with greed, emphasizing that their doom will be swift and their destruction not missed, aligning with the deceptive nature and harmful intent of false prophets.
bensonMatthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Matthew 7:15-16 . Beware of false prophets — Who in their preaching describe a broad way to heaven: it is their prophesying, their teaching the broad way, rather than walking in it themselves, that is here chiefly spoken of. All those are false prophets who teach any other way than that which our Lord hath here marked out. Who come to you in sheep’s clothing — With a form of g…
clarkeMatthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Beware of false prophets - By false prophets we are to understand teachers of erroneous doctrines, who come professing a commission from God, but whose aim is not to bring the heavenly treasure to the people, but rather to rob them of their earthly good. Teachers who preach for hire, having no motive to enter into the ministry but to get a living, as it is ominously called by…
Jesus isn't just warning about people who teach wrong doctrines; he's pointing out how these deceivers use a guise of innocence and gentleness to hide their true predatory nature. The key is that this outward appearance of being "sheep" is a deliberate disguise, meant to make them seem harmless and part of God's flock while they are inwardly driven by greed and a desire to "devour."
Jesus has just described the narrow gate and difficult path that lead to life, contrasting it with the broad gate and easy way that lead to destruction. This verse launches into a warning about deceptive spiritual leaders who present a seemingly harmless appearance to lead people astray from that true path. These individuals, Jesus explains, are inwardly dangerous and driven by selfish motives.
Jesus has just described the narrow gate and difficult path that lead to life, contrasting it with the broad gate and easy way that lead to destruction. This verse launches into a warning about deceptive spiritual leaders who present a seemingly harmless appearance to lead people astray from that true path. These individuals, Jesus explains, are inwardly dangerous and driven by selfish motives.
"“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" — Jesus isn't just warning about people who teach wrong doctrines; he's pointing out how these deceivers use a guise of innocence and gentleness to hide their true predatory nature. The key is that thi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
