Mat 7:15-20 | MHM | STEP | The Danger of False Prophets In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns his followers to be on guard against false prophets and teachers. He explains how to recognize them and why it is so important to avoid their influence. The section focuses on how outward appearances can be deceiving and how the real test of a person's character and teaching is the fruit they produce in their lives (Matthew 7:15-20 ). v. 15 : Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15 ). This is a strong warning to be careful because false prophets do not always look dangerous. They may seem harmless, kind, or even holy on the outside—like sheep—but inside, their real motives are dangerous and selfish, like wolves. Jesus wants his followers to know that there are people who pretend to be good but actually want to harm others spiritually. In the Old Testament, some people pretended to be prophets, like Zedekiah (1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 29:21 ). Now, Jesus is saying that there will be false teachers in the church as well. They may pretend to have messages from God or teach things that sound good, but their goal is to deceive and hurt God's people. Paul also calls such people "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29 ). He warns that they only care about themselves and may use religion to get what they want (Romans 16:18 ).

‏ Matthew 7:15-20

The Danger of False Prophets

In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns his followers to be on guard against false prophets and teachers. He explains how to recognize them and why it is so important to avoid their influence. The section focuses on how outward appearances can be deceiving and how the real test of a person's character and teaching is the fruit they produce in their lives (Matthew 7:15-20 ^a).

v. 15: Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15 ^b). This is a strong warning to be careful because false prophets do not always look dangerous. They may seem harmless, kind, or even holy on the outside—like sheep—but inside, their real motives are dangerous and selfish, like wolves. Jesus wants his followers to know that there are people who pretend to be good but actually want to harm others spiritually. In the Old Testament, some people pretended to be prophets, like Zedekiah (1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 29:21 ^c). Now, Jesus is saying that there will be false teachers in the church as well. They may pretend to have messages from God or teach things that sound good, but their goal is to deceive and hurt God's people. Paul also calls such people "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29 ^d). He warns that they only care about themselves and may use religion to get what they want (Romans 16:18 ^e).

v. 16: Jesus teaches, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16 ^f). He gives a simple test to recognize false prophets: look at the results of their lives, their "fruits." Just as you do not expect to find grapes growing on thorn bushes or figs on thistles, you should not expect good results from people whose hearts are not right with God. Bad people may sometimes do something good, but it does not come naturally from them. Their actions, attitudes, and teachings will eventually show what kind of person they really are.

v. 17: Jesus goes on, "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matthew 7:17 ^g). Here, Jesus is saying that a person's true character will be seen in their actions and words over time. A good person, like a healthy tree, naturally produces good things. A bad person, like a rotten tree, produces bad things. People may try to hide who they are, but their true nature will show through the way they live.

v. 18: He explains, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:18 ^h). This means that someone whose heart has truly been changed by God will not keep producing evil actions and teachings. In the same way, someone who is false or corrupt cannot keep producing good fruit. The course of a person's life, not just a single action, reveals their true character.

v. 19: Jesus warns, "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" (Matthew 7:19 ⁱ). This is a picture of judgment. Just as a farmer cuts down trees that do not produce fruit and burns them, God will judge and remove those who do not live according to his ways. This is the same warning John the Baptist gave earlier (Matthew 3:10 ^j). It does not matter how religious someone looks on the outside; if their life does not show real good fruit, they are in danger of God's judgment (Ezekiel 31:12-13; Daniel 4:14; John 15:6 ^k).

v. 20: Jesus repeats, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20 ^l). The best way to recognize false teachers is to pay attention to what their lives produce. This includes both their personal character and the effects of their teaching on others. If their teaching leads people away from God, encourages pride, selfishness, or sin, then it is not from God (Galatians 5:8; James 3:15 ^m). But if their teaching leads to true love, humility, and holiness, it is a sign that they are genuine. When in doubt, we should also check what they teach against the Bible, "the law and the testimony" (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1 ⁿ).