What does it mean to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16)?

Answer

When sending out the Twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” « Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. », (Matthew 10:16, KJV). The NIV says, “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

Jesus was using similes (figures of speech that compare two unlike things) to instruct His disciples on how to behave in their ministry. Just before He tells them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, He warns them that they were being sent out “like sheep among wolves.”

The world, then as now, was hostile to believers—not incidentally hostile, but purposefully hostile. Wolves are intentional about the harm they inflict upon sheep. In such an environment, the question becomes: “How can we advance the kingdom of God effectively without becoming predatory ourselves?” Jesus taught His followers that, to be Christlike in a godless world, they must combine the wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove.

By using these similes, Jesus invokes the common proverbial view of serpents and doves. The serpent was “subtle” or “crafty” or “shrewd” in Genesis 3:1. The dove, on the other hand, was thought of as innocent and harmless—doves were listed among the “clean animals” and were used for sacrifices «and two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering. », Leviticus 14:22. To this very day, doves are used as symbols of peace, and snakes are thought of as “sneaky.”

Most individuals do not object to having their character likened to a dove’s purity and innocence. However, some individuals react negatively to the idea of a serpent, regardless of the context. They are unable to view a snake positively, even when utilized by Jesus as a teaching aid. Nevertheless, we should not overanalyze the comparison. We should not associate the wicked deeds of Satan (portrayed as the serpent) with the serpent itself. Animals do not possess moral agency. The creature itself cannot commit sin, and cleverness is an attribute, not a flaw. This is the trait that Jesus instructed His disciples to emulate.

The serpent analogy remains in Jesus’ discourse without highlighting any of the serpent’s negative connotations. It is a fundamental principle in language that when a speaker employs a simile, they are not necessarily invoking the full range of meanings of the words chosen—nor are they invoking the complete historical and emotional weight of the comparison. Instead, the speaker is establishing a new connection between the two entities. A brief examination of Matthew 10:16 reveals that Jesus was only emphasizing the favorable aspects of the serpent. There is no indication of Him burdening His disciples with the baggage from Eden. He simply advises them to be astute (and innocent) as they represent Him.

When Jesus instructed the Twelve to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves, He established a general principle regarding the strategy of advancing the kingdom. As we carry the gospel to a hostile environment, we must be astute (avoiding the traps laid for us) and we must be blameless (serving the Lord without fault). Jesus was not proposing that we resort to deceit but rather that we should exhibit some of the serpent’s renowned cleverness in a positive manner. Wisdom is not synonymous with deceit, and innocence is not synonymous with naivety.

Let us contemplate Jesus as a role model: the Lord was recognized as a gentle individual. Indeed, Scripture attests that He would not extinguish a smoldering wick. «A bruised rEed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. », (Matthew 12:20). But was He always (and only) gentle? No. When the occasion demanded it, He took whip in hand and chased the moneychangers out of the temple «and when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; », (John 2:15). Jesus’ extraordinarily rare action, seen in light of His usual mien, demonstrates the power of using a combination of tools. This “dove-like” Man of Innocence spoke loudly and clearly with His assertiveness in the temple.

In His more typical moments, Jesus showed that He was as wise as a serpent in the way He taught. He knew enough to discern the differences in His audiences (a critical skill), He used the story-telling technique to both feed and weed (Matthew 13:10-13), and He refused to be caught in the many traps that His enemies laid for Him (Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2; Mark 12:13).

Jesus showed that He was as harmless as a dove in every circumstance. He lived a pure and holy life «For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. », (Hebrews 4:15), He acted in compassion «But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. », (Matthew 9:36).At 9:36), and He dared anyone to find fault in Him (John 8:46;John 18:23). Pilate judged Jesus innocent three times (John 18:38;John 19:4,6).

The apostle Paul also exemplified the “wise as serpents, harmless as doves” approach. Paul lived with dove-like innocence and a clear conscience before God «And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. », (Acts 23:1) and disciplined himself to control his carnal desires to safeguard his ministry «but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.», (1 Corinthians 9:27). Paul also demonstrated shrewdness like a serpent when necessary. He understood his legal rights and utilized the legal system strategically (Acts 16:37;Acts 22:25;Acts 25:11). Additionally, he carefully tailored his speeches to have the greatest impact on his audience (Acts 17:22-23;23:6-8).

In Matthew 10:16, Jesus taught us how to maximize our opportunities to spread the gospel. Successful Christian living entails striking a balance between the dove and the serpent. We should aim to be gentle yet firm, sacrificial but not exploited. While we are mindful of the deceitful tactics of the enemy, we choose the path of integrity. Peter advises us, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of wrongdoing, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”See your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us” “having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”, (1 Peter 2:12).