Being wise as a serpent means having a snake’s sharp mind, which was well-known in the ancient world (see Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3): not dishonesty, but wisdom rooted in the true faith.
The Greek word akeraios (innocent
as doves) literally means unmixed
or pure,
and in a figurative sense means honest,
genuine
, and innocent.
In antiquity people believed that doves had no gall, making them rich in every possible virtue. In the New Testament, this word is found only three times, (Matthew 10:16; Romans 16:19; Philippians 2:15).
Jesus here says that the disciples must be both wise as well as guileless or innocent. They need to avoid getting caught up in the snares of the enemy, but also not be cunning or evil-minded. By sending them out as sheep among the wolves, Jesus stressed the threat of persecution (see also Matthew 10:17–25).
Being wise as a serpent refers to having the mind and the astuteness of a snake, which was well-known in the ancient world (see Genesis 3:1 and 2 Corinthians 11:3). The Greek word akeraios literally means unmixed
or pure,
and in a figurative sense means honest,
genuine
, and innocent.
In the New Testament, this word is found only three times, once here in Matthew 10:16, and then again in Romans 16:19 and in Philippians 2:15. Jesus here conveys that the disciples ought to be both wise as well as guileless or innocent. These two characteristics ought to be simultaneously present. They need to be able to avoid getting caught up in the snares of the enemy, while at the same time they ought not to be cunning or evil-minded. This is why Jesus highlights the need to be honest and genuine like doves. By highlighting that he was sending them as sheep among the wolves, Jesus ensured that the disciples were under no illusions with regard to the results they were to expect from their work, while at the same time highlighting the very real threat of persecution (see also Matthew 10:17–25).1
When Jesus commands his apostles to be wise as serpents this does not imply any kind of dishonesty, but an attitude firmly rooted in the true faith. That snakes are cunning and watchful is universally acknowledged. As for doves, it seems that in antiquity people believed that they had no gall, and they were regarded as rich in every possible virtue.2
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.