Identifying False Teachings and Wolves in Sheep's Clothing Today
Jesus warned his followers to "be on the watch for false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are cruel wolves" [1]. This imagery highlights the deceptive nature of those who present themselves as spiritual guides but harbor destructive intentions [5]. The warning emphasizes the need for discernment, as these individuals do not appear overtly dangerous but rather adopt an outward appearance of gentleness or piety [5].
The metaphor of "sheep's clothing" draws on the common understanding of sheep as defenseless animals, often preyed upon by wolves [8]. Sheep were a vital part of ancient Hebrew life, used for sacrifice, food, and clothing, with their wool being a primary material for garments [4]. The art of weaving was well-established, producing fine linen and wool for various uses, including the hangings of the tabernacle [2, 3]. Thus, "sheep's clothing" would have been a familiar and relatable image for protective covering or a common outward appearance.
False prophets, or false teachers, are described as those who claim to expound the mind of God and guide others to heaven [5]. However, their teachings often contradict the true path, suggesting that the "gate is not strait nor the way narrow" [5]. John Gill suggests that Jesus might have been referring to the Scribes and Pharisees, whose doctrines, though appearing pious, were "repugnant to the word of God, and destructive to the souls of men" [7]. These false teachers are ultimately "bent on devouring the flock for their own ends" [5].
The Bible provides further context for identifying such figures. In Acts 20:29-30, Paul warns that "fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." Similarly, 2 Peter 2:1-2 speaks of false prophets and teachers who will secretly bring in destructive heresies [5]. These passages reinforce the idea that the threat often comes from within the community, disguised as legitimate instruction.
The deceptive nature of false teachers is also highlighted in Zechariah 13:4-5, where prophets who have uttered false prophecies become ashamed and deny their prophetic calling, claiming instead to be humble laborers [6, 10]. Calvin interprets the "rough garment" (sackcloth), often a badge of a prophet, as being worn by these individuals to conceal their true nature, much like "wolves under sheep's clothing" [6]. This suggests that outward displays of asceticism or piety can be a facade for ulterior motives [6].
The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 2:8, warns believers to "Beware lest any man spoil you," using the imagery of thieves and robbers who would "rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spiritual armour, take away from you the truths and doctrines of Christ, and divest you of your spiritual privileges and blessings" [9]. This further emphasizes the predatory nature of false teachers, who aim to lead believers astray and exploit them [9]. The warning to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16) underscores the need for both shrewdness in recognizing danger and purity of intention in navigating such threats [8].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 7:15 (BBE) — Be on the watch for false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inside they are cruel wolves.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Weaving — The art of weaving appears to be coeval with the first dawning of civilization. We find it practiced with great skill by the Egyptians at a very early period; The vestures of fine linen" such as Joseph wore, (Genesis 41:42) were the product of Egyptian looms. The Israelites were probably acquainted with the process before their sojourn in Egypt; but it was undoubtedly there that they attained the proficiency which enabled them to execute the hangings of the tabernacle, (Exodus 35:35; 1 Chronicles 4:21) and other artistic textures. The Egyptian loom was usual”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Dress — This subject includes the following particulars: + Materials; + Color and decoration; + Name, form, and mode of wearing the various articles; + Special usages relating thereto. + Materials .--After the first "apron" of fig leaves, (Genesis 3:7) the skins of animals were used for clothing. (Genesis 3:21) Such was the "mantle" worn by Elijah. Pelisses of sheepskin still form an ordinary article of dress in the East. The art of weaving hear was known to the Hebrews at an early period, (Exodus 25:4; 26:7) and wool was known earlier still. (Genesis 38:12) Their acq”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Sheep — Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering, as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were sometimes paid as tribute. (2 Kings 3:4) It is ver”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:15: Beware--But beware. of false prophets--that is, of teachers coming as authorized expounders of the mind of God and guides to heaven. (See Act 20:29-30; Pe2 2:1-2). which come to you in sheep's clothing--with a bland, gentle, plausible exterior; persuading you that the gate is not strait nor the way narrow, and that to teach so is illiberal and bigoted--precisely what the old prophets did (Eze 13:1-10, Eze 13:22). but inwardly they are ravening wolves--bent on devouring the flock for their own ends (Co2 11:2-3, Co2 11:13-15).”
- Zechariah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 13:4: prophets . . . ashamed--of the false prophecies which they have uttered in times past, and which the event has confuted. rough garment--sackcloth. The badge of a prophet (Kg2 1:8; Isa 20:2), to mark their frugality alike in food and attire (Mat 3:4); also, to be consonant to the mournful warnings which they delivered. It is not the dress that is here condemned, but the purpose for which it was worn, namely, to conceal wolves under sheep's clothing [CALVIN]. The monkish hair-shirt of Popery, worn to inspire the multitude with the impression of supe”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 7:14: Beware of false prophets,.... Or false teachers; for not such who pretended to foretell things to come, but such who set up themselves to be teachers of others, are here meant; see Pe2 2:1. It may be queried, whether our Lord has not respect to the Scribes and Pharisees, who sat in Moses's chair, and taught, for doctrines, the commandments of men? and of whose doctrines he elsewhere bids men beware: for whatever plausible pretences for holiness and righteousness might appear in them, they were repugnant to the word of God, and destructive to the souls of men; such as”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 10:16: Behold, I send you forth--The "I" here is emphatic, holding up Himself as the Fountain of the Gospel ministry, as He is also the Great Burden of it. as sheep--defenseless. in the midst of wolves--ready to make a prey of you (Joh 10:12). To be left exposed, as sheep to wolves, would have been startling enough; but that the sheep should be sent among the wolves would sound strange indeed. No wonder this announcement begins with the exclamation, "Behold." be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves--Wonderful combination this! Alone, t”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:8: Beware lest any man spoil you,.... Or despoil you; rob you of the rich treasure of the Gospel, strip you of your spiritual armour, take away from you the truths and doctrines of Christ, and divest you of your spiritual privileges and blessings; suggesting, that the false teachers were thieves and robbers, and men of prey: or drive and carry you away as spoils, as the innocent harmless sheep are drove, and carried away by wolves, and by the thief that comes to steal, to kill, and destroy; intimating, that such as these were the heretics of those times; wherefore it ”
- Zechariah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 13:5: The detection of one of the false prophets dramatically represented. He is seized by some zealous vindicator of the law, and in fear cries out, "I am no prophet." man--that is, one. taught me to keep cattle--As "keeping cattle" is not the same as to be "an husbandman," translate rather, "Has used (or 'appropriated') me as a servant," namely, in husbandry [MAURER]. However, husbandry and keeping cattle might be regarded as jointly the occupation of the person questioned: then Amo 7:14, "herdman," will accord with English Version. A Hebrew kindred”