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.

Acts 20:29

20:29 I know that after I am gone ⁴  fierce wolves ⁵  will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

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.

⁴ tn Grk “after my departure.”

⁵ tn That is, people like fierce wolves. See BDAG 167-68 s.v. βαρύς 4 on the term translated “fierce.” The battle that will follow would be a savage one.