Matthew 10:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus sends the disciples out as sheep among wolves, calling them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
What Does Matthew 10:16 Mean?
The discourse now turns from the immediate mission to the longer road of discipleship and its dangers. Jesus pictures his followers as sheep sent among wolves, defenseless among the hostile. Yet he does not leave them helpless; he calls them to combine the shrewdness of the serpent with the gentleness of the dove.
The disciple must be neither naive nor harsh. Wisdom watches and discerns; innocence keeps the heart clean of malice and deceit. Held together, they form the character of one who can face opposition without becoming like it. Christ sends his own into danger, but he sends them clothed in the very qualities that mark his own way through a hostile world.
Matthew 10:16 in the Original Language
akeraios (ἀκέραιος), 'harmless' -- unmixed and pure, innocent of any harmful intent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 10:16
What does Matthew 10:16 mean?
Jesus sends the disciples out as sheep among wolves, calling them to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.