What Does Matthew 7:15 Mean in the King James?

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

A trusted covering can conceal an appetite bent on seizing what is inside.

THE MEANING

This warning speaks now: a person can approach under the appearance of care while inwardly seeking to take and consume. The danger lies in the gap between the welcome exterior and the predatory nature within.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that a familiar, gentle appearance guarantees a gentle nature.

THE ROOT

ἅρπαγες

harpages

GROWS FROM

ἁρπαγ-

To seize, snatch, or carry off; by extension, to plunder.

“ravening” in this verse is harpages. The Greek word describes more than an animal’s hunger: it names a nature bent on taking. Its word family also describes snatching and plunder, bringing the wolf’s appetite into the human world of exploitation.

ALSO GROWS

harpazō: To snatch, seize, or carry off.

ἁρπάζω

The KJV renders a form of this verb as “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17; it makes the force of “ravening” concrete as taking something away.

harpagē: Plunder or robbery.

ἁρπαγή

In Hebrews 10:34, the KJV calls this “spoiling of your goods,” showing the same word family applied to predatory taking among people.

THE PATTERN

Predatory authority can hide behind a trusted appearance, while its nature shows in what it takes from those in its care.

Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

Ezekiel 22:27 · KJVLeaders are pictured as wolves whose authority becomes a means of consuming and destroying others.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Acts 20:29 · KJVThe wolf image again names a threat that enters among the vulnerable without sparing them.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:13 · KJVThe false apostles’ transformed appearance echoes the hidden split between outward presentation and inward nature.

THE THREAD

Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

1 Corinthians 5:10 · KJV

The Greek word rendered “extortioners” is ⁨ἅρπαξ⁩ (harpax, “plunderer”), from the same word family as “ravening.” The wolf’s predatory nature therefore has a human expression too: taking from others.

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