If sheep refers to God’s people, citizens of the new covenant community (John 10:1–42), then false prophets present themselves as genuine Christian believers. To come in sheep’s clothing is to come in the name of Christ, to give the impression that you have made a commitment to following Jesus and are speaking for God.1 These people claim that they have also entered by the narrow gate and followed along the hard path (Matthew 7:13–14).
15 Gardez-vous des faux prophètes. Ils viennent à vous en vêtements de brebis, mais au-dedans ce sont des loups ravisseurs.