Matthew 10:16

Translations

Modern

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Traditional

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

Literal

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as the serpents and innocent as the doves.

Latin

Ecce ego mitto vos sicut oves in medio luporum. Estote ergo prudentes sicut serpentes, et simplices sicut columbæ.

Original

Greek

English

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Notes

Matthew 10:16

Scripture often compares false leaders who exploit people’s spiritual weakness, instead of giving proper care, to wolves (Ezekiel 22:27; Zephaniah 3:3; compare Proverbs 28:15).

be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves: This proverb means to be wise and careful, but not deceitful or violent.

Matthew 9:35–11:1

Jesus expands his ministry (see Matthew 4:23–9:34) by sending his disciples to other people in Israel (10:5–6). The instructions Jesus gives his disciples (10:5–42) emphasizes missionary work and the opposition and challenges they will encounter.

Theme notes and profiles

John’s Profile of Discipleship Paul’s Role as an Apostle Persecution

Events

3rd Tour of Galileec. AD 29

Related verses

Philippians 2:15
…so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world
Luke 10:3
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Ephesians 5:15–17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Romans 16:18–19
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Acts 20:29
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Luke 21:15
For I will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
2 Corinthians 11:3
I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

Matthew 10:16

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