Matthew 7:15
13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
- KJV
- Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
- WEB
- “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
- ASV
- Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
- DARBY
- But beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but within are ravening wolves.
- BLB
- Beware of the false prophets, who come to you⁺ in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
- ÅB
- «Pass dere for falske profeter, som kommer til dere i saueklær, men innvendig er glupske ulver!
- OTB
- “Vær på vakt mot falske profeter, som kommer til dere i fåreklær, men som innvendig er glupske ulver.
- B1930
- Men vokt eder for de falske profeter, som kommer til eder i fåreklær, men innvortes er glupende ulver!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Read in contextMatthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.
Read in context2 Peter 2:1–3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Read in contextActs 20:29–31
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Read in contextMark 13:22–23
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 13:1–3
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,
Read in contextColossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
Read in context2 Corinthians 11:13–15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Read in context