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

MATTHEW 10:16KJV
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Matthew 10:16 (KJV)

What does Matthew 10:16 mean?

Matthew 10:16 describes Jesus sending his followers out into a world that may be dangerous or hostile, comparing them to sheep among wolves. He tells them to be both wise—like serpents—and harmless—like doves—meaning they should be careful and thoughtful, but also gentle and innocent in how they act.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as he prepares them to go out and spread his message. The image of sheep among wolves highlights the real risks and challenges they will face. By telling them to be wise and harmless, Jesus is urging them to balance caution and integrity, using good judgment without resorting to harm or deceit.

The Greek behind Matthew 10:16

  • "Wise" (φρόνιμοι, phronimoi): This Greek word often means thoughtful, prudent, or shrewd. Jesus is not telling his followers to be sneaky, but to use good sense and practical wisdom in difficult situations.
  • "Harmless" (ἀκέραιοι, akeraioi): This word means pure, innocent, or unmixed. The idea is to remain sincere and not cause harm, even when facing hostility.
  • "Sheep" (πρόβατα, probata) and "wolves" (λύκοι, lykoi): These images would have been vivid to the original listeners, showing the vulnerability of the disciples and the real danger of those who might oppose them.

Why Matthew 10:16 matters

  • Matthew 10:16 clears up the idea that being wise or shrewd is at odds with being good; Jesus calls for both qualities together.
  • The verse emphasizes that following Jesus does not mean being naïve about the world’s dangers, but it also means not responding to hostility with harm.
  • This instruction connects to the wider passage where Jesus prepares his disciples for real-world challenges, showing that their mission requires both courage and character.

Where else these words appear

“harmless” Greek G185 · used in 3 verses

  • Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

“wolves” Greek G3074 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
  • Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
  • John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

“doves” Greek G4058 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
  • John 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

“wise” Greek G5429 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
  • Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.