Commentary Par XXVII 55-57

Now we descend to the lesser ranks of the clergy.  See Matthew 7:15 for the warning against wolves in sheep's clothing, applied to those priests who betray their calling (and their parishioners).

See Marietti (Mari.2003.1), pp. 435-40, for the way in which Dante considers himself a descendant of the prophet Jeremiah here and throughout the Comedy.  And see Sapegno (DDP Sapegno.Par.XXVII.55-57) for a citation of the prophet's outcry against those shepherds who harm their flocks (Jeremiah 23:1).