Matthew 10:16 NIV

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

10:16-22 Look you, it is I who am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Show yourself as wise as serpents, and as pure as doves. Beware of men! For they will hand you over to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, that you make your witness to them and to the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry how you are to speak, or what you are to say. What you are to speak will be given to you in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

No one can read this passage without being deeply impressed with the honesty of Jesus. He never hesitated to tell men what they might expect, if they followed him. It is as if he said, "Here is my task for you--at its grimmest and at its worst--do you accept it?" Plummer comments: "This is not the world's way to win adherents." The world will offer a man roses, roses all the way, comfort, ease, advancement, the fulfilment of his worldly ambitions. Jesus offered his men hardship and death. And... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

Looking at things from our own point of view, we find it hard to understand why any government should wish to persecute the Christians, whose only aim was to live in purity, in charity, and in reverence. But in later days the Roman government had what it considered good reason for persecuting the Christians (see topic THE BLISS OF THE SUFFERER FOR CHRIST). (i) There were certain slanders current about the Christians. They were accused of being cannibals because of the words of the sacrament,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth, as sheep among wolves ,.... 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",... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves - He who is called to preach the Gospel is called to embrace a state of constant labor, and frequent suffering. He who gets ease and pleasure, in consequence of embracing the ministerial office, neither preaches the Gospel, nor is sent of God. If he did the work of an evangelist, wicked men and demons would both oppose him. Wise ( φρονιμοι prudent) as serpents, and harmless as doves - This is a proverbial saying: so in Shir... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:16

Verse 16 The injunctions which Matthew has hitherto related had no farther reference than to that former expedition or commission, which was to be terminated in a few days. But now Christ proceeds farther, and prepares them for a future period, by informing them, that they were not merely chosen for that brief exercise of preaching, but that an office of greater difficulty and of far higher importance awaited them. Though they were not immediately brought into those contests of which Christ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:1-42

The "commanding" of the twelve. This was a grand historic occasion indeed. The honoured but ever-comparatively feeble and now dimmed, dying, or dead schools of the prophets are to be succeeded by a scion of Christianity that marks at one and the same time its noblest and most amazing human institution, and Heaven's most condescending gift and human trust. Now begins "the great company of preachers" of the New Testament. They began with twelve;. they very soon grew to seventy; and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16

Parallel passage: Luke 10:3 (the seventy); 16 b , Matthew only. Behold . He calls their attention. I send you forth . I ( ἐγω ), with the full consciousness of all that will befall you; I, whose message you will carry, whose character you will represent. In this I lies the germ of verses 40-42. As sheep in the midst of wolves . The 'Midrash' on Esther 8:2 uses the same phrase of the position of Israel amidst a hostile world (cf. Edersheim, 'Life,' 1.645), adding, "How great is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16

Serpents and doves. No two creatures are more opposite to one another in nature. The serpent eyes the dove with greedy desire; the dove looks at the serpent with the fascination of horror. The serpent is the symbol of the evil spirit; the dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, each has exemplary lessons to teach, and the most dove-like soul will be imperfect if something of the serpent is lacking. I. ALL THE WORLD IS FULL OF EXAMPLES FOR CHRISTIAN CONDUCT... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16

The law of safety for Christian workers. It is a law which regulates their own conduct. "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Living creatures are recognized figures of moral qualities. How the serpent comes to be the figure of wisdom, with the peculiar characteristic of subtlety, is a subject for dispute. Yah Lennep, writing concerning Asia Minor, says, "The serpent has not the reputation of being ' cunning' or ' wise,' nor are such characteristics suggested or... read more

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 10:16-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 10:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 10:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:1-42

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16

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