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Matthew 10:16 KJV
Matthew · chapter 10 · verse 16
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 · King James Version
What Matthew 10:16 means
He names the odds before he gives the instruction. Wise and harmless together is the hard part, since either one alone is easier. Jesus is sending them out knowing exactly what is there, which is a different thing from sending them out unaware.
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Matthew 10:16 in context
14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Commentary
Cross references
- Philippians 2:15
- Luke 10:3
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
- Colossians 4:5
- Ephesians 5:15-17
- Romans 16:18-19
- Luke 21:15
- Acts 20:29
Key words (Strong's)
- serpentsophissnake, serpent, with the ancients, the serpent was an emblem of cunning and wisdom. The…G3789 →
- harmlessakeraiosunmixed, pure as in wines or metals, of the mind, without a mixture of evil, free from…G185 →
- Beholdidoubehold, see, loG2400 →
- wolveslykosa wolf, metaph. of cruel, greedy, rapacious, destructive menG3074 →
- sheepprobatonany four footed, tame animal accustomed to graze, small cattle , most commonly a sheep or…G4263 →
- midstmesosmiddle, the midst, in the midst of, amongstG3319 →
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All these verses relate to the sufferings of Christ's ministers in their work, which they are here taught to expect, and prepare for; they are directed also how to bear them, and how to go on with their work in the midst of them. This part of the sermon looks further than to their present mission;
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 16-42