Matthew 7:15 - Exposition

Matthew only. Beware . The warning against being led from the right entrance and the right way is all the more emphatic for there being no adversative particle in the true text. Beware of false prophets . The whole class of them ( τῶν ). Not, observe, "false teachers" ( 2 Peter 2:1 ), as though these persons only falsely interpreted fundamental truths, but "false prophets,'' as falsely claiming to bring messages from God. They claim to bring from God the true message of salvation, but their claim is false. These were doubtless found, at the time that our Lord spoke the words, especially among the Pharisees; but when St. Matthew recorded them, chiefly among Christians, either on the Jewish or on the Gnostic side ( Colossians 2:8 ; 1 Timothy 6:20 , 1 Timothy 6:21 ; cf. also 1 John 4:1 and 'Did.,' § 12.). Which ; qualitative ( οἵτινες ); seeing that they. Come unto you in sheep's clothing. In, as it were, the skins of sheep ( ἐν ἐνδύμασι προβάτων ), professing simplicity and gentleness, and (for, perhaps, this thought is also included) claiming to be members of God's true flock. Externally they are all this, but at heart they are something very different. But inwardly they are ravening wolves . The thought of "ravening" ( ἅρπαγες ) is of both violence and greed. These false prophets are not merely wicked at heart and opposed to the truth, but they wish to injure you, and that for their own gain (cf Galatians 6:13 ). "Of the ravenousness of wolves among the Jewes, take these two examples besides others. The elders proclaimed a fast in their cities upon this occasion , because the wolves had devoured two little children beyond Jordan. More than three hundred sheep of the sons of Judah ben Shamoe were torn by wolves " (Lightfoot, 'Hor. Hebr.;' cf. Ezekiel 34:4 , on false shepherds).