Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I send you forth, as sheep among wolves, etc.] This, and the following verses, chiefly respect the troubles, afflictions, persecutions, and sufferings which should befall the apostles after the death and resurrection of Christ; when their commission was enlarged, and they afresh sent out by Christ to preach his Gospel; of which he gives a faithful account before hand, that they might be prepared for them, and not be surprised when they came upon them. He compares them to “sheep”, because they were meek and humble in their spirits, harmless, and inoffensive, in their lives and conversations; were weak, and unable to protect themselves, and were sent out by him unarmed and defenceless;…”

“Behold, I send you forth--The "I" here is emphatic, holding up Himself as the Fountain of the Gospel ministry, as He is also the Great Burden of it. as sheep--defenseless. in the midst of wolves--ready to make a prey of you (Joh 10:12). To be left exposed, as sheep to wolves, would have been startling enough; but that the sheep should be sent among the wolves would sound strange indeed. No wonder this announcement begins with the exclamation, "Behold." be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves--Wonderful combination this! Alone, the wisdom of the serpent is mere cunning, and the harmlessness of the dove little better than weakness: but in combination, the wisdom of the serpent…”

“As sheep in the midst of wolves - That is, I send you, inoffensive and harmless, into a cold, unfriendly, and cruel world. Your innocence will not be a protection. Be wise as serpents ... - Serpents have always been an emblem of wisdom and cunning, Genesis 3:1. The Egyptians used the serpent in their hieroglyphics as a symbol of wisdom. Probably the thing in which Christ directed his followers to imitate the serpent was in its caution in avoiding danger. No animal equals them in the rapidity and skill which they evince in escaping danger. So said Christ to his disciples, You need caution and wisdom in the midst of a world that will seek your lives. He directs them, also, to be harmless, not…”

“Luk 10:3. Matthew 10:17”

“10:16 False leaders who prey upon people’s spiritual vulnerability rather than exercise appropriate pastoral care are often called wolves (Ezek 22:27; Zeph 3:3; cp. Prov 28:15). • be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves: The proverb calls for being astute but not deceitful.”

“as sheep: Luk 10:3; Act 20:29 wise: Gen 3:1, Gen 3:13; Luk 21:15; Rom 16:19; Co1 14:20; Co2 11:3, Co2 11:14; Eph 5:15-17; Col 1:9, Col 4:5 harmless: or, simple, Rom 16:18, Rom 16:19; Co2 1:12, Co2 8:20, Co2 11:3; Phi 2:15; Th1 2:10, Th1 5:22 Matthew 10:17”