Matthew 10:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-23

You will be in the midst; of foes, and simplicity must be accompanied by prudence ( Matthew 10:16 , a summary of all); you will be ill-treated publicly ( Matthew 10:17 , Matthew 10:18 ), but must conduct yourselves with calm faith that you will be guided in your defence ( Matthew 10:19 , Matthew 10:20 ), with endurance of family and universal enmity. ( Matthew 10:21 , Matthew 10:22 ), with common sense in avoiding unnecessary danger, for wherever you go you will find work to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-23

The future mission of the apostles. I. THE COMING PERSECUTIONS . 1 . The Lord warns his apostles beforehand. "Behold, I send you forth." He looks forward to their future work in the world when they should have received the full apostolic commission; he prepares them for the dangers of their office; he reminds them of its dignity, of the source from which the commission comes. "I send you." The pronoun is emphatic: "It is I, the Lord, who send you." This thought should strengthen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-23

Sheep and wolves. The charge of Christ to his evangelists is here continued. Though addressed in the first instance to the twelve, it is by no means limited to them. We may learn— I. THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THE WORLDLING TOWARDS THE CHRISTIAN IS WOLFISH . 1 . It is a disposition of hostility. 2 . Its hostility is nerved by cruelty. 3 . The cruelty is aggravated by treachery. "O shame to men! devil with devil damn'd Firm concord holds, men only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:16-39

The internal conditions of conveying Christ ' s message. The subdivisions of this section are after Matthew 10:23 and Matthew 10:33 (cf. Matthew 10:5 , note). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 10:16

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 10:16

Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves I now send you forth weak and defenceless among a wicked, cruel, and persecuting people. “Considering the nature of the tidings which the apostles were now sent out to publish, namely, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand considering, also, the number and variety of the miraculous cures which they were to be enabled to perform in confirmation of their doctrine, together with the greatness of the benefits they were... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 10:5-42

62. The twelve sent out (Matthew 10:5-42; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)Jesus sent out the twelve apostles to preach the good news that the kingdom of the Messiah had come. The miraculous powers of the Messiah were given to them also, so that the knowledge of his love and mercy might spread more quickly throughout the land (Luke 9:1-2).There would be no time during Jesus’ lifetime to spread the gospel worldwide, so the apostles had to concentrate on Israel. After Jesus’ death and resurrection they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 10:16

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis. sheep . . . wolves. No Art., for all sheep are not in the midst of wolves. be ye = become ye. serpents . . . doves. With Art., because all serpents are prudent, and all doves harmless. harmless = guileless. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 10:16

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.The serpent was considered a symbol of wisdom among the ancients, especially the python. The maid at Philippi who followed Paul and Silas was said to have had a "spirit of divination" (Acts 16:16), but the Greek word denotes that she had a PYTHON! Genesis declares that "The serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field" (Genesis 3:1). The dove as a symbol of harmlessness and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 10:16

Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep, &c.— Considering the nature of the tidings which the apostles were now sent out to publish, namely, that the kingdom of heaven was at hand, the number and variety of miraculous cures which they were enabled to perform in confirmation of their doctrine, and the greatness of the benefits that they were empowered to confer upon the families who should entertain them kindly, it is reasonable to think that they were flattering themselves with the... read more

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