Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 7:15

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep`s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." — Matthew 7:15 (ASV)

False prophets. The word prophet originally means one who foretells future events. As prophets, however, were commonly regarded as public instructors on the subject of religion, the word came to denote all who were religious teachers. In this sense, it is probably used here. A false prophet is a teacher of incorrect doctrine or one falsely and unjustly laying claim to Divine inspiration. It probably had reference to the false teachers then among the Jews.

Which come to you in sheep's clothing. The sheep is an emblem of innocence, sincerity, and harmlessness. To come in sheep's clothing is to assume the appearance of sanctity and innocence when the heart is evil.

Ravening wolves: rapacious; or disposed to plunder. Applied to the false teachers, it means that they assumed the appearance of holiness so that they might more readily get the property of the people. They were full of extortion and excess .

Ravening wolves (Acts 20:29–31).