Scholars who see a rivalry between the Jewish Christianity of Mathew and the wider gospel of St. While in later years Christian groups such as the Gnostics would become prominent rivals to mainstream Christianity, Gnosticism was not yet a major concern at the time this Gospel was written. This also could rule out other Jewish sects active in this period such as the Essenes and Zealots. However, Matthew 7:22 seems to make clear that the false prophets are Christian, rather than Jewish. The Pharisees are the primary opponent of the righteous through the Gospel of Matthew, and this could be another attack on them. France notes that the wording refers to the prophets coming to you implies that these prophets are from outside the community of disciples. There are several false prophets mentioned in the literature of the period such as Simon Magus and Bar Kokhba, but the text has no hint that it referring to one of these in particular. Davies and Allison note several groups that scholars have proposed.

At the time the gospel was written the Christian communities had several opponents, who may be being targeted by the author of Matthew in this verse. It is an open question who, if anyone, this verse is directed against. Schweizer feels this metaphor may be linked to the traditional description of the prophets being clad in skins. Wolves were regarded as greedy and malevolent predators who were a threat to the innocent, and such wolf metaphors are also found in several other parts of the Bible. A 19th century illustration of the mediaeval fable attributed to Aesopįalse prophets are frequently referred to in the New Testament, sheep were an important part of life in the Galilee of Jesus' era, and the metaphor of the pious as a flock of sheep is a common one in both the Old and New Testaments. The metaphor A hanged wolf in sheep's clothing. The World English Bible translates the passage as:īeware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:īeware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. This verse begins the section warning against false prophets. Matthew 7:15 is the fifteenth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. ( P) 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ( Q) 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, ( R) who has taken them captive to do his will.Illustration of Christ's teaching in Matthew 7:15, 'Beware of false prophets', a section of wing panel from the Mompelgarter Altarpiece. ( O) 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ( N) 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ( K)Ģ2 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love ( L) and peace, along with those who call on the Lord ( M) out of a pure heart. ( J) 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. ( F) 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, ( G) sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” ( H) and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord ( I) must turn away from wickedness.”Ģ0 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay some are for special purposes and some for common use. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, ( E) and they destroy the faith of some. Among them are Hymenaeus ( D) and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. ( B) 16 Avoid godless chatter, ( C) because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Warn them before God against quarreling about words ( A) it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things.

False teachers scripture