Interpreting Jesus' Teaching on Being Wise as a Serpent
Jesus' instruction to "be wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16) is a directive given to his disciples as he sends them out "as sheep in the midst of wolves" [1]. This teaching emphasizes a necessary combination of shrewdness and innocence for those engaged in ministry, particularly when facing opposition [7, 9].
The serpent, in biblical contexts, is often associated with subtlety and cunning [2, 3]. In Genesis 3, the serpent is described as "more subtle than any beast of the field" [2]. This characteristic of the serpent is not always portrayed negatively; for instance, the Lord commends the unjust steward in Luke 16:8 for acting "wisely" or "prudently" in adapting means to an end, drawing a parallel to the "shrewdness" of the "children of this world" [4]. John Gill, in his commentary on Proverbs, suggests that even those of "mean abilities" can attain a "serpentine subtlety" through divine wisdom, becoming "wise as serpents" while remaining "simple and harmless as doves" [12]. This wisdom implies a strategic understanding of the world and its dangers, enabling believers to navigate hostile environments effectively [9].
However, the serpent also carries negative connotations in scripture, being linked to deception and malice, particularly in the account of the Fall [3, 10]. The serpent is cursed above all creatures and doomed to crawl on its belly [2]. Some interpretations of Genesis 3 even suggest the serpent was a manifestation of Satan [11]. Therefore, Jesus' command to be "wise as serpents" must be balanced by the instruction to be "harmless as doves" [1].
The dove, in contrast to the serpent, symbolizes innocence, meekness, and purity [6]. Tertullian, an early Church Father, notes that some critics branded Christians as "simple" for their faith. one tradition argues that Christ unites both wisdom and simplicity, stating, "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and simple as doves" [5]. This combination means that while Christians should possess a keen awareness of potential threats and act with discernment, their actions must always be free from malice, deceit, or aggression [7]. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox Father, connects this teaching to Paul's advice in Colossians 4:5-6 to "walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time," implying a need for careful conduct that gives no "handle" to adversaries [9].
Augustine of Hippo, reflecting on this passage, highlights the vulnerability of the disciples, comparing them to "lambs in the midst of wolves" [8]. He emphasizes that the wisdom of the serpent is not for self-preservation through aggression, but for navigating danger without compromising the innocence of the dove. The disciples are sent out defenseless, like sheep, into a world that seeks to prey on them [7]. The wisdom of the serpent, therefore, is a practical shrewdness that allows them to avoid unnecessary perils and to effectively carry out their mission, while the harmlessness of the dove ensures their integrity and witness remain untainted [6, 7]. This dual instruction calls for a careful balance: to be astute in understanding the world's ways and the intentions of adversaries, yet to maintain a pure heart and avoid retaliatory or harmful actions [7].
Sources
- Matthew ““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. -- Matthew 10:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Serpents — Created by God -- Job 26:13. Characterised as subtle -- Ge 3:1; Mt 10:16. Called crooked -- Job 26:13; Isa 27:1. Unclean and unfit for food -- Mt 7:10. Infest Hedges. -- Ec 10:8. Holes in walls. -- Am 5:19. Deserts. -- De 8:15. Produced from eggs -- Isa 59:5. Cursed above all creatures -- Ge 3:14. Doomed to creep on their belly -- Ge 3:14. Doomed to eat their food mingled with dust -- Ge 3:14; Isa 65:25; Mic 7:17. Many kinds of poisonous -- De 32:24; Ps 58:4. All kinds of, can be tamed -- Jas 3:7. Were often enchanted or fascinated -- Ec 10:11. Dangerous t”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Serpent — (Heb. nahash; Gr. ophis), frequently noticed in Scripture. More than forty species are found in Syria and Arabia. The poisonous character of the serpent is alluded to in Jacob's blessing on Dan (Gen. 49:17; see Prov. 30:18, 19; James 3:7; Jer. 8:17). (See [571]ADDER.) This word is used symbolically of a deadly, subtle, malicious enemy (Luke 10:19). The serpent is first mentioned in connection with the history of the temptation and fall of our first parents (Gen. 3). It has been well remarked regarding this temptation: "A real serpent was the agent of the te”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 16:8: the lord--evidently the steward's lord, so called in Luk 16:3, Luk 16:5. commended, &c.--not for his "injustice," but "because he had done wisely," or prudently; with commendable foresight and skilful adaptation of means to end. children of this world--so Luk 20:34; compare Psa 17:14 ("their portion in this life"); Phi 3:19 ("mind earthly things"); Psa 4:6-7. their generation--or "for their generation"--that is, for the purposes of the "world" they are "of." The greater wisdom (or shrewdness) of the one, in adaptation of means to ends, and in energ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. II.--THESE HERETICS BRAND THE CHRISTIANS AS SIMPLE PERSONS. THE CHARGE ACCEPTED, AND SIMPLICITY EULOGIZED OUT OF THE SCRIPTURES.: For this reason we are branded(2) by them as simple, and as being merely so, without being wise also; as if indeed wisdom were compelled to be wanting in simplicity, whereas the Lord unites them both: "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and simple as doves."(3) Now if we, on our parts, be accounted foolish because we are simple, does it then follow that they are not simple because they are wise? Most perverse, however, are they who are n”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 10:15: 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", because they were meek and humble in their spirits, harmless, and inoffensive, in”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 10:16: Behold, I send you forth--The "I" here is emphatic, holding up Himself as the Fountain of the Gospel ministry, as He is also the Great Burden of it. as sheep--defenseless. in the midst of wolves--ready to make a prey of you (Joh 10:12). To be left exposed, as sheep to wolves, would have been startling enough; but that the sheep should be sent among the wolves would sound strange indeed. No wonder this announcement begins with the exclamation, "Behold." be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves--Wonderful combination this! Alone, t”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, MATT. X. 16, "BEHOLD, I SEND YOU FORTH AS SHEEP IN THE MIDST OF WOLVES," ETC. (part 1): Delivered on a Festival of Martyrs. I. When the Holy Gospel was read, Brethren, ye heard how our Lord Jesus Christ strengthened His Martyrs by His teaching, saying, "Behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves."(7) Now consider, my Brethren, what he does. If but one wolf come among many sheep, be they ever so many thousands, they will all be put to confusion by one wolf in the midst of them: and though all may not be”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Homily XI. Colossians iv. 5, 6 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.” What Christ said to His disciples, that doth Paul also now advise. And what did Christ say? “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” ( Matt. x. 16 .) That is, be upon your guard, giving them no handle against you. For therefore it is added, “towards the”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 36: of that knowledge after than before his fall. In the third place, “good and evil” may be taken in a physical sense, for happiness and misery. Eating of the forbidden tree was to determine the question of Adam's being happy or miserable. It led to an experimental knowledge of the difference. God knew the nature and effects of evil from his omniscience. Adam could know them only from experience, and that knowledge he gained when he sinned. Whichever of these particular interpretations be adopted, they all are included in the general stateme”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 3:1: NOW THE SERPENT. Some say that the woman understood and knew the language of the animals. They interpret And the serpent said as meaning, that the serpent spoke through signs. 1 That is, the serpent did not actually speak. He conveyed his intentions through signs; i.e., he went to the tree and pantomimed the eating of the fruit thereof. Others say that the serpent was in reality Satan. 2 Satan took the form of the serpent. Now why don’t they look at what Scripture states at the close of this chapter (v. 14 and 15)? How is Satan to crawl upon his belly or eat th”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 1:4: To give subtlety to the simple,.... Men of mean abilities, weak capacities, shallow understandings, incautious, credulous, and easily imposed upon: these, by attending to what is herein contained, may arrive to a serpentine subtlety; though they are simple and harmless as doves, may become as wise as serpents; may attain to an exquisite knowledge of divine things and know even more than the wise and sage philosophers among the Gentiles, or any of the Rabbins and masters of Israel; or any of the princes of this world, whose wisdom comes to nought; and become very caut”