• Matthew 10:16
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 16 Ἰδοὺ Look! ἐγὼ I ἀποστέλλω am sending off ὑμᾶς YOU ὡς as πρόβατα sheep ἐν in μέσῳ midst λύκων· of wolves; γίνεσθε be proving yourselves οὖν therefore φρόνιμοι cautious ὡς as οἱ the ὄφεις serpents καὶ and ἀκέραιοι innocent ὡς as αἱ the περιστεραί. doves.

  • Matthew Study Notes—Chapter 10
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 10:16

      Look!: See study note on Mt 1:20.

      cautious as serpents: To be cautious here means to be prudent, sensible, shrewd. Zoologists note that most snakes are wary, preferring to flee rather than attack. Likewise, Jesus warns his disciples to remain cautious toward opposers and avoid possible dangers as they carry out their preaching work.

      yet innocent as doves: The two parts of Jesus’ admonition (to be cautious and to be innocent) complement each other. (See study note on cautious as serpents in this verse.) The Greek word rendered “innocent” (lit., “unmixed,” that is, “unspoiled; pure”) also occurs at Ro 16:19 (“innocent as to what is evil”) and Php 2:15 (“be blameless and innocent, children of God”). Here at Mt 10:16, being “innocent” apparently includes being genuine, honest, free of deceit and having pure motives. The dove is sometimes used in Hebrew word pictures and poetry to symbolize these and related qualities. (Ca 2:14; 5:2; compare study note on Mt 3:16.) Jesus’ point was that when his sheeplike followers faced persecution as sheep among wolves, they needed to combine the characteristics of serpents and doves by being cautious, shrewd, pure of heart, blameless, and innocent.​—Lu 10:3.