Matthew 10:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

"Pay attention! I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, so be as pru dent as snakes and as harmless as doves.

Berean Standard Bible:

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Behold{G2400}, I{G1473} send{G649} you{G5209} forth{G649} as{G5613} sheep{G4263} in{G1722} the midst{G3319} of wolves{G3074}: be ye{G1096} therefore{G3767} wise{G5429} as{G5613} serpents{G3789}, and{G2532} harmless{G185} as{G5613} doves{G4058}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 10:3

  • Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

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;

1 Corinthians 14:20

  • Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Colossians 4:5

  • ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Ephesians 5:15

  • See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Ephesians 5:17

  • Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].

Luke 21:15

  • For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

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Commentary for Matthew 10:16

No commentary available.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G2400
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἰδού
    Transliteration: idoú
    Pronunciation: id-oo'
    Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
  2. Strong's Number: G1473
    There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐγώ
    Transliteration: egṓ
    Pronunciation: eg-o'
    Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
  3. Strong's Number: G649
    There are 130 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποστέλλω
    Transliteration: apostéllō
    Pronunciation: ap-os-tel'-lo
    Description: from ἀπό and στέλλω; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).
  4. Strong's Number: G5209
    There are 388 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμᾶς
    Transliteration: hymâs
    Pronunciation: hoo-mas'
    Description: accusative case of ὑμεῖς; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).
  5. Strong's Number: G5613
    There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὡς
    Transliteration: hōs
    Pronunciation: hoce
    Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
  6. Strong's Number: G4263
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρόβατον
    Transliteration: próbaton
    Pronunciation: prob'-at-on
    Description: probably neuter of a presumed derivative of προβαίνω; something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e. (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively):--sheep(-fold).
  7. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
  8. Strong's Number: G3319
    There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέσος
    Transliteration: mésos
    Pronunciation: mes'-os
    Description: from μετά; middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun):--among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way.
  9. Strong's Number: G3074
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λύκος
    Transliteration: lýkos
    Pronunciation: loo'-kos
    Description: perhaps akin to the base of λευκός (from the whitish hair); a wolf:--wolf.
  10. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
  11. Strong's Number: G3767
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὖν
    Transliteration: oûn
    Pronunciation: oon
    Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
  12. Strong's Number: G5429
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: φρόνιμος
    Transliteration: phrónimos
    Pronunciation: fron'-ee-mos
    Description: from φρήν; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while σοφός denotes practical skill or acumen; and συνετός indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative):--wise(-r).
  13. Strong's Number: G3789
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὄφις
    Transliteration: óphis
    Pronunciation: of'-is
    Description: probably from ὀπτάνομαι (through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan:--serpent.
  14. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  15. Strong's Number: G185
    There are 114 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκέραιος
    Transliteration: akéraios
    Pronunciation: ak-er'-ah-yos
    Description: from Α (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of κεράννυμι; unmixed, i.e. (figuratively) innocent:--harmless, simple.
  16. Strong's Number: G4058
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: περιστερά
    Transliteration: peristerá
    Pronunciation: per-is-ter-ah'
    Description: of uncertain derivation; a pigeon:--dove, pigeon.