Matthew 10:16 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. {harmless: or, simple}”

Matthew 10:16

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And 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.

Verily 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.

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

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

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Matthew 10:1

"And when he had called unto {him} his twelve disciples, he gave them power {against} unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. {against: or, over}"

Matthew 10:2

"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James {the son} of Zebedee, and John his brother;"

Matthew 10:3

"Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James {the son} of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;"

Matthew 10:4

"Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him."

Matthew 10:5

"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into {any} city of the Samaritans enter ye not:"

Matthew 10:6

"But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

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