Matthew 7:15

A Tree and Its Fruit

7:15 “Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves. 1 

Matthew 10:16

Persecution of Disciples

10:16 “I 2  am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, 3  so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 12:12

12:12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

1 sn Sheep’s clothing…voracious wolves. Jesus uses a metaphor here to point out that these false prophets appear to be one thing, but in reality they are something quite different and dangerous.

2 tn Grk “Behold I.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).

3 sn This imagery of wolves is found in intertestamental Judaism; see Pss. Sol. 8:23, 30.