Matthew 10 16

Matthew 10:16 kjv

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:16 nkjv

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10:16 niv

"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:16 esv

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:16 nlt

"Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 16 Meaning

This verse serves as a crucial warning and instruction from Jesus to His disciples as He commissions them for their mission. It encapsulates the challenging nature of their task and the necessary dual qualities for its success. Jesus declares that He is sending His disciples, who are inherently vulnerable like sheep, into a world filled with hostility, akin to wolves. Therefore, to navigate this dangerous environment effectively, they must embody two seemingly contrasting yet essential virtues: the shrewdness, discernment, and strategic prudence of a serpent, coupled with the unblemished purity, gentleness, and harmless integrity of a dove. This combination ensures that they are not naive or easily exploited, nor are they corrupt or malicious in their methods.

Matthew 10 16 Context

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus' first extensive commissioning of His twelve apostles. After calling them, He imparts to them divine authority to heal diseases, cast out demons, and preach the kingdom of heaven. The instructions begin with specific guidance on their immediate mission: where to go (only to the lost sheep of Israel), what to take (nothing material), and how to behave in receiving hospitality. Immediately following these initial instructions, Jesus abruptly shifts to a dire warning about the opposition and persecution they will face. Verse 16 serves as a pivotal bridge, moving from the hopeful commissioning to the harsh reality of their future encounters with a hostile world. It precedes detailed prophecies about their trials before councils, synagogues, governors, and kings, emphasizing the need for shrewdness and integrity in the face of inevitable opposition from family, religious authorities, and governing powers. This context reveals that the dual qualities are not merely virtues but necessary survival and effectiveness strategies for their evangelistic mission.

Matthew 10 16 Word analysis

• Behold (ἰδοὺ, idou): A strong interjection meaning "look!", "see!", or "take notice!" It draws the listener's immediate and emphatic attention to a critical statement about to be made. Jesus uses it to underscore the gravity and surprising nature of His ensuing words.
• I send (ἀποστέλλω, apostellō): From which we get the word "apostle." It signifies a deliberate sending forth with a specific mission or delegated authority. This is not a casual deployment but a divine commissioning, implying the sender's authority and the delegate's responsibility. It emphasizes that their mission is not self-appointed but divinely ordained.
• you out (ὑμᾶς, hymas): Refers directly to the twelve disciples, collectively, indicating a personal and direct assignment.
• as (ὡς, hōs): A comparative particle, signifying "like," "as if," or "in the manner of." It indicates that the disciples' situation will be like that of sheep among wolves, not literally sheep.
• sheep (πρόβατα, probata): A common biblical metaphor for God's people, implying vulnerability, dependence, lack of self-defense, and often a need for a shepherd's guidance and protection. This highlights the inherent defenselessness of the disciples against worldly aggression.
• in the midst (ἐν μέσῳ, en mesō): Indicates a position surrounded or enveloped by. It intensifies the image of vulnerability, suggesting they are encompassed by danger from all sides.
• of wolves (λύκων, lykōn): A symbol of fierce, predatory, destructive, and dangerous adversaries. In biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, wolves were known for their cunning, cruelty, and rapaciousness, often preying on helpless sheep. This represents the hostile world, false teachers, or persecutors.
• Therefore (οὖν, oun): A conjunction signifying a logical consequence, "for this reason," or "accordingly." It links the warning about their vulnerable situation to the practical instruction that follows. Because of the hostile environment, these specific qualities are necessary.
• be (γίνεσθε, ginesthe): An imperative verb meaning "become" or "come to be." It implies an active and continuous process, a state to be acquired and maintained, rather than a passive existence. It's a call to actively cultivate these virtues.
• wise (φρόνιμοι, phronimoi): Means prudent, shrewd, discerning, intelligent, sensible, practical, and possessing foresight. This is not merely intellectual knowledge (σοφός, sophos) but practical wisdom, the ability to act wisely in complex or dangerous situations, to navigate and discern without succumbing to traps. It includes foresight and sound judgment.
• as serpents (ὡς οἱ ὄφεις, hōs hoi opheis): Serpents were commonly regarded in antiquity, even after Gen 3, as symbols of shrewdness, caution, and evasiveness, able to move through difficult terrain and escape danger through quick, calculating maneuvers. This refers to their tactical prudence, alertness to danger, and strategic adaptability, not their deceit or malice. It suggests circumspection and careful discernment in dealing with potential adversaries and dangerous situations.
• and (καί, kai): A simple conjunction connecting the two qualities. Crucially, it implies balance and co-existence; one quality without the other is insufficient or dangerous.
• innocent (ἀκέραιοι, akeraioi): From a- (negative particle, without) and kerannymi (to mix). Thus, "unmixed," "unadulterated," "pure," "simple," "guileless," "harmless," "sincere," or "without deceit." This refers to their purity of motive, honesty of intention, integrity, and lack of maliciousness or guile. It is about character, ensuring that their shrewdness does not devolve into manipulation or evil.
• as doves (ὡς αἱ περιστεραί, hōs hai peristerai): Doves symbolized purity, gentleness, harmlessness, peace, and simplicity in ancient Near Eastern and Jewish cultures. They are often seen as meek and unthreatening. This aspect highlights the disciples' inner purity, upright character, gentle disposition, and lack of malevolence or desire for retaliation, safeguarding them from corruption.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves": This phrase dramatically sets the stage, vividly portraying the vulnerability of the disciples and the profound hostility of the environment they are entering. It emphasizes that this is a divine sending, yet it carries inherent danger. The disciples are to go forth without human protection, relying on divine power and wisdom. This picture aligns with the reality of persecution in the Early Church.
• "Therefore be wise as serpents and innocent as doves": This is the core instruction, presenting two paradoxical virtues that must be simultaneously embodied. The "therefore" makes it a direct, necessary consequence of the dangerous mission. "Wise as serpents" speaks to their practical dealings in a hostile world, demanding caution, foresight, strategic thinking, and alertness to threats. It’s a call to shrewd intelligence and avoiding traps, similar to a serpent’s quick evasive actions. "Innocent as doves" calls for moral integrity, purity of heart, blameless conduct, and lack of malice or guile. This prevents their shrewdness from becoming worldly cunning or compromise. The juxtaposition ensures effective action without compromising core Christian values or motivations. They are not to be simplistic and foolish, nor are they to be corrupted by the world's ways.

Matthew 10 16 Bonus section

This verse teaches that spiritual wisdom is not simply naive goodness, nor is it cynical shrewdness. It is the ability to integrate seemingly contradictory traits: being alert to danger and the schemes of others (like a serpent) while maintaining complete purity and goodwill (like a dove). If one is only innocent, they might be easily deceived and exploited. If one is only shrewd without innocence, their methods could become manipulative, deceitful, or corrupted, betraying the very Gospel they claim to serve. The Christian mission, as envisioned by Jesus, demands a careful calibration of both defensive wisdom and offensive purity. It's a call to operate with maximum effectiveness in the world, while simultaneously maintaining separation from the world's corruption, embodying discernment without deviousness, and sincerity without simple-mindedness. This balance is critical for survival, witness, and preserving the integrity of the Christian faith in hostile surroundings.

Matthew 10 16 Commentary

Matthew 10:16 is a foundational directive for Christian mission and life in a fallen world. Jesus' instruction highlights the constant tension and delicate balance required for believers operating in a spiritual battleground. The imagery of "sheep among wolves" succinctly describes the vulnerability of Christ's followers when facing worldly opposition and spiritual adversaries. This precarious position necessitates a specific character: combining practical shrewdness with moral purity. "Wise as serpents" commands the adoption of discernment, foresight, and tactical prudence to navigate perilous situations without falling into traps or compromising the mission. It is about understanding the enemy's strategies and employing sound judgment. This wisdom, however, must be tempered and guided by "innocence as doves," meaning uncompromised integrity, genuine harmlessness, sincerity of motive, and purity of conduct. This prevents the "wisdom" from degenerating into manipulative deceit or worldly ambition. The verse, therefore, calls for intelligent, proactive engagement with the world while maintaining an untainted, righteous character. This paradoxical combination is vital for the effective spread of the Gospel in an often-hostile environment, ensuring both protection from evil and faithfulness to God.