I am sending you out
This phrase underscores the authority and initiative of Jesus in the mission of His disciples. The Greek verb "ἀποστέλλω" (apostellō) is used here, which means to send forth with a specific purpose. This is not a casual sending but a commissioning, akin to the sending of ambassadors. It highlights the divine mandate and the intentionality behind the disciples' mission. Historically, this reflects the practice of sending messengers or envoys with a message from a king, underscoring the disciples' role as representatives of Christ.

like sheep
Sheep are often used in Scripture to symbolize innocence, vulnerability, and dependence. The Greek word "πρόβατα" (probata) conveys these characteristics. In the context of this verse, it emphasizes the disciples' need for reliance on their Shepherd, Jesus, as they navigate a world that is often hostile to their message. The imagery of sheep also evokes the pastoral care of God, who guides and protects His flock.

among wolves
Wolves are natural predators of sheep, symbolizing danger, hostility, and opposition. The Greek word "λύκοι" (lykoi) is used here, painting a vivid picture of the perilous environment into which the disciples are sent. This phrase acknowledges the reality of spiritual and physical threats that believers may face. Historically, wolves were a common threat to shepherds and their flocks, making this metaphor resonate deeply with the original audience.

Therefore be as shrewd as snakes
The call to be "shrewd" uses the Greek word "φρόνιμοι" (phronimoi), which means wise or prudent. Snakes, or "ὄφεις" (opheis), are often associated with cunning and astuteness. This part of the verse encourages believers to exercise discernment and wisdom in their interactions, balancing innocence with strategic thinking. The snake's ability to navigate its environment with caution and awareness serves as a model for the disciples' conduct in a hostile world.

and as innocent as doves
Doves symbolize purity, peace, and innocence. The Greek word "ἀκέραιοι" (akeraios) means unmixed or pure, and "περιστεραί" (peristerai) refers to doves. This phrase calls believers to maintain moral integrity and purity of heart, even as they exercise wisdom. The dove's gentle nature complements the shrewdness of the snake, creating a balance between being wise and maintaining a Christ-like character. Historically, doves were used in sacrificial offerings, symbolizing purity and peace, further enriching this metaphor.

As sheep in the midst of wolves.--Nothing can be more striking than the union of this clear foresight of conflict and suffering with the full assurance of victory and sovereignty. The position of the disciples would be as sheep surrounded by a flock of hungry and raging wolves, the wolf being here, as elsewhere in the New Testament, the symbol of the persecutor.

Wise as serpents.--The idea of the serpent as symbolising wisdom, seems to have entered into the early parables of most Eastern nations. We find it in Egyptian temples, in the twined serpents of the rod of 'sculapius and of Hermes, in the serpent-worship of the Turanian races, in the history in Genesis 3 of the serpent that was "more subtle than any beast of the field." For the most part it appears in Scripture as representing an evil wisdom to be fought with and overcome. Here we learn that even the serpent's sinuous craft presents something which we may well learn to reproduce. When St. Paul "caught men with guile" (2Corinthians 12:16), becoming "all things to all men" (1Corinthians 9:22), he was acting in the spirit of his Master's counsels.

Harmless as doves.--Better, simple, sincere--i.e., "guileless." The Greek indicates more than simple harmlessness--a character in which there is no alloy of baser motives. Once again truth appears in the form of paradox. The disciples of Christ are to be at once supremely guileful and absolutely guileless. Our Lord's reference to this symbolism gains a fresh significance when we remember that He had seen the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descending "like a dove" upon Himself (Matthew 3:16). In and by that Spirit the two qualities that seem so contradictory are reconciled.