“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just want us to be aware of danger; he's calling us to a specific kind of balanced wisdom. We're to be shrewd and discerning like serpents to avoid unnecessary harm, but also to maintain a pure, guileless spirit like doves, refusing to let that shrewdness become deceitful.
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is sending out his twelve apostles for the first time to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, a mission that will expose them to hostility. He warns them that they are not being sent into a welcoming environment, but rather into a world filled with opposition, comparing them to vulnerable sheep surrounded by ravenous wolves. Therefore, he instructs them to blend strategic caution with genuine purity in their dangerous undertaking.
Jesus sends his followers into a hostile world. But this isn't a reckless act; it's a strategic mission filled with divine purpose.
Jesus' command to go out "as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matthew 10:16) isn't about doom, but about preparation. He's not sending them to be defenseless victims, but to be agents of His kingdom in challenging environments. The 'sheep' imagery highlights their vulnerability and peaceful nature, while 'wolves' represent the fierce opposition they will face. This stark contrast underscores the difficulty of their mission but also the power of the One who sends them.
Think of it like this: a shepherd knows his sheep are vulnerable, but he sends them out with a purpose – to graze, to grow, to be part of his flock. Jesus does the same. He's aware of the dangers, but He calls us to step out with faith, knowing He equips us for the task.
How can you be both sharp and innocent at the same time? Jesus gives us a surprising, yet practical, guide.
Jesus' instruction to "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16) is a masterful call to balanced living. The serpent, known for its caution and ability to evade danger, represents strategic prudence. It's about being aware, discerning, and avoiding unnecessary risks without being paranoid.
On the other hand, the dove is a symbol of pure innocence and guilelessness. It signifies a lack of malice, deceit, and harmful intent. Jesus isn't asking us to be cunning or deceptive like the serpent's negative traits, nor is He asking for the dove's naivete that leaves it vulnerable to every threat.
He calls us to blend these qualities: to be shrewd and discerning in our interactions, protecting ourselves and the message we carry, while maintaining a heart of integrity, sincerity, and peace. It's about acting with earthly wisdom while reflecting heavenly character.
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Understand the original words
idou · Greek Interjection/Particle
A command to pay close attention or perceive something of great importance; often used to introduce a significant revelation or truth.
probaton · Greek Noun
Animals known for their gentleness, vulnerability, and dependence on a shepherd; in Scripture, they often represent God’s people.
lykos · Greek Noun
Predatory animals that symbolize those who are hostile, ravenous, or spiritually dangerous to the people of God.
phronimos · Greek Adjective
Practical, godly discernment; the ability to make sound judgments and act with foresight according to God's will.
akeraios · Greek Adjective
Purity, lack of deceit, or blamelessness; signifies being unmixed or untainted by evil or malice.
This passage uses the same 'sheep in the midst of wolves' imagery, highlighting the inherent vulnerability and danger faced by Jesus' messengers as they spread his message.
Genesis 3:1The serpent's 'wisdom' or cunning is directly referenced here, providing the ancient context for the caution Jesus calls for, while also serving as a stark reminder of the original deceiver.
Romans 16:19This verse speaks of being 'innocent' or 'simple' in relation to evil, echoing the 'harmless as doves' instruction and emphasizing a pure, uncorrupted heart in dealings with others.
Psalm 23:1-4While Matthew 10:16 focuses on the danger, Psalm 23 assures that even when 'walking through the valley of the shadow of death' (a dangerous place), the Lord is the Shepherd who protects his sheep.
1 Corinthians 14:20Paul urges believers to be 'infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature,' which resonates with the balance Jesus calls for: avoid malice (like a dove) but be discerning and aware (like a serpent).
vincentMatthew 10:16: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
I send you forth (ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω)Cognate to the word ἀπόστολος (apostle). The I is emphatic: "It is I that send you forth."Wise (φρόνιμοι)So A.V. and Rev. Denoting prudence with regard to their own safety. Wyc., wary.Harmless (ἀκέραιοι)Lit., unmixed, unadulterated. Used of wine without water, and of metal without alloy. Hence guileless. So Luther, without f…
bensonMatthew 10:16: "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 . Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves — I now send you forth weak and defenceless among a wicked, cruel, and persecuting people. “Considering the nature of the tidings which the apostles were now sent out to publish, namely, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand — considering, also, the number and variety of the miraculous cures…
Jesus doesn't just want us to be aware of danger; he's calling us to a specific kind of balanced wisdom. We're to be shrewd and discerning like serpents to avoid unnecessary harm, but also to maintain a pure, guileless spirit like doves, refusing to let that shrewdness become deceitful.
Jesus is sending out his twelve apostles for the first time to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, a mission that will expose them to hostility. He warns them that they are not being sent into a welcoming environment, but rather into a world filled with opposition, comparing them to vulnerable sheep surrounded by ravenous wolves. Therefore, he instructs them to blend strategic caution with genuine purity in their dangerous undertaking.
Jesus is sending out his twelve apostles for the first time to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is near, a mission that will expose them to hostility. He warns them that they are not being sent into a welcoming environment, but rather into a world filled with opposition, comparing them to vulnerable sheep surrounded by ravenous wolves. Therefore, he instructs them to blend strategic caution with genuine purity in their dangerous undertaking.
"“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." — Jesus doesn't just want us to be aware of danger; he's calling us to a specific kind of balanced wisdom. We're to be shrewd and discerning like serpents to avoid unnecessary harm, but also to maintai…
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Last reviewed October 2026