False prophets are typically self-appointed individuals who generally tell people what they want to hear.¹ Given the immediate context (Matthew 7:13–14), false prophets are anyone who encourages disciples to abandon the ways of Christ for the broad way of the world.² Such prophets are people who deny that there is a narrow gate and that the way is difficult,³ teaching that there is no need to obey the law as taught by Jesus.⁴ In the time when Jesus was preaching, given the fact that he was challenging the consensus taught by the scribes and Pharisees,⁵ it is likely that he had them in mind (Matthew 3:8–10; Matthew 12:33–35).⁶