Matthew 7:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Such occurrences were not new. Therefore, He reassured them not to be troubled, as nothing extraordinary would transpire. The devil consistently intertwines deceit with the truth. In labeling certain individuals as false prophets, it seems that Christ was not referring to heretics alone, but rather to those who, while living immoral lives, feign righteousness—a group typically known as deceivers.

Chrysostom explains that these are Christians whose lives are marked by vice and malice, promoting unkindness and hypocrisy, thereby corrupting moral standards. By distinguishing them from the previously mentioned dogs and swine, Christ instructed that the latter should not be entrusted with sacred teachings, and we should avoid the former as if they were toxic beasts, lest we share in their downfall. To help his listeners identify such individuals, He provided a principle for discernment: By their fruits you shall know them (Matthew 7:16).

Beware of the false prophets, or misguided teachers and erroneous doctrines, who may appear to you as innocent as sheep, yet are inwardly ferocious wolves: by their outcomes, you shall recognize them. The Apostle speaks of spiritual fruits, which include joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, mercy, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). A doctrine that pleases God will inevitably yield spiritual fruit, as outlined by the Apostle; however, if such fruit is absent, the doctrine is false, even if the person claiming to be a prophet possesses impressive titles associated with wisdom and understanding. This divine instruction calls for great contemplation, starting with the crucial words, "hear ye." Truly, it demands our utmost focus and thoughtfulness to be implemented! False teachings are often conveyed in captivating and eloquent manners. Not everyone can discern falsehood by analyzing its concepts; nevertheless, its fruit reveals its true nature, allowing for immediate identification and judgment. The Holy Great Barsonophius once advised a monk: "Understand, my brother, that any thought not underpinned by the silence of humility does not originate from God, but clearly comes from the adversary. Our Lord approaches us in peace, while the enemy brings chaos and defiance. Although demons may masquerade in sheep's clothing, their true nature as ravenous wolves is uncovered through the turmoil they cause, as it is written, 'from their fruit you shall know them.' May the Lord guide us all to remain steadfast and not be swayed by their deceptive truths.

They proclaim a misguided notion of God’s mercy devoid of His righteousness, concealing His unchanging judgment upon the lawless and their fate in the fiery Gehenna, thereby extinguishing the saving fear of God from your hearts—this fear being the foundation of true wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). They lull your conscience into a state of complacent carelessness, delaying repentance until advanced age or the very moment of death. Beneath this woolly disguise, these predatory wolves seek to gain your trust, constructing for themselves a sanctuary of vanity, fleeting happiness, and human praise upon the foundation of your deception. Be cautious of these voracious wolves, who, driven by selfish ambition, aim to liberate you from your Gospel duties, leading you into degrading and painful enslavement to your desires and sins. Exercise discernment in your everyday interactions and conversations, guarding against those who incite lust under the pretense of pleasing you with enticing words, as they may weaken your faith's resilience and the severity of your piety. Scripture warns us, ‘The customs of good conversations are corrupted by evil ones’ (1 Corinthians 15:33). To help us differentiate between true preachers and false prophets, the Saviour provides a clear sign, enabling all to identify them.

Examine closely for the presence of a wolf beneath that sheep’s disguise. Understand that the Lord is the true initiator of perfect goodness, the one who softens hearts and morals, the true light-giver, liberator, and the one who fills the heart with an undeniable sense of truth, which instills an unshakeable conviction. Hence, if you detect any sign of contradiction to the Lord's teachings in the messages of these new prophets, recognize them as predatory wolves and turn away from them.

However, the challenge lies in discerning the false prophets, who disguise themselves as genuine Orthodox Christians, coming "in sheep's clothing," cloaked in an illusion of humility and simplicity, and even outward acts of piety such as charitable giving and prayer. Yet, their deeds are performed in a Pharisaic manner as they inwardly embody ravenous wolves. Who are these false prophets? A true prophet is a chosen servant of God, commissioned to convey His will to humanity and to foretell what is to come. Historically, prophets not only made predictions but also guided the people in righteous living, thus they were often regarded as divinely appointed heralds of faith and righteousness. Consequently, a false prophet is a charlatan who feigns being a God's messenger, a proponent of truth; he stands as a false teacher and deceiver. Many still exist today. But how can we differentiate these false teachers from the genuine ones? The Lord provides us with a means to discern them. Their pride taints them so thoroughly that even their ostensible virtues are rendered insignificant in God's eyes. A tree may display beautiful and fragrant blooms and lush, green leaves, yet what truly matters is the fruit it bears: good fruit signifies a healthy tree, while bad fruit signals a corrupt tree.

Such individuals cannot serve as true teachers or leaders for those yearning for the truth. They may refer to themselves as messengers of God's word, proclaimers of His will, or prophets; however, they are false prophets, akin to hungry wolves disguised in sheep's clothing. Exercise caution around them! Throughout history, there have been false teachers before the coming of Christ and after His arrival, and many still exist today. While not every one can be characterized as ravenous wolves—some may lead lives of strict morality without selfish or ambitious motives—if they mistakenly lead others astray with their teachings, they too will be likened to wolves, diverting souls from the path to the Kingdom of Heaven and effectively robbing them of their rightful place. Be vigilant! Remember, it is not everyone who calls out to Me, “Lord! Lord!” who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of My Father who is in Heaven.

A false prophet, then, is an individual who has not been commissioned by God to predict the future or teach the people; instead, he deceitfully poses as a divinely sent prophet. Such false prophets were particularly prevalent during the time of the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 23:9 ff.; Ezekiel 13:1 ff.).

This may refer to false teachers in general, who were abundant among the Jews, especially those within the Christian community who might emerge within the very heart of the Church, against whom the Lord cautions His followers (cf. Theophylact). Moreover, it encompasses "those who lead a corrupt life while cloaking themselves in a façade of righteousness, whom many refer to as flatterers" (Chrysostom). In sheep's clothing. The sheep symbolizes innocence and humility. The phrase “in sheep’s clothing” indicates a deceptive appearance, one that embodies simplicity and gentleness, making it easier to mislead the unsuspecting. Wolves, being ferocious, contrast sharply with this imagery. In relation to false teachers and flatterers, this expression applies to those who ruthlessly entice individuals into their misguided beliefs, ultimately harming their souls and spiritually murdering them through their erroneous teachings. The metaphor draws from the behavior of a wolf that dons a sheep's skin to infiltrate a flock and, unnoticed by the naïve and trusting sheep, seizes and attacks some, scattering the remainder.