Matthew 10:16 is a verse in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. Content In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort for this verse is: Ἰδού, ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων· γίνεσθε οὖν φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις, καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί. In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. The New International Version translates the passage as: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Analysis Lapide notes that the wolves are usually interpreted as either the Scribes and Pharisees, or any enemies and persecutors. This is said to show the power of Christ since in this way innumerable wolves are overcome by very few sheep (the twelve apostles), which are the most defenceless of all animals. St. Jerome comments that by being wise the apostles are to avoid snares, and by being harmlessness and simple they are not to do evil. The Greek word for harmless ἀκέραιοι, which St. Basil says comes from ἀ (not), and κεράννυμι (to mix), i.e. to be unmixed, that is, pure, sincere, being someone who expresses with their mouths what they think in their hearts. Commentary from the Church Fathers Chrysostom: "Having removed all care and anxiety from the Apostles, and armed them with the miraculous powers, He proceeds to foretell the evils which should befall them. First, that they might know his knowledge of the future; secondly, that they should not think that these things befel them because of the want of power in their Master; thirdly, that they might not be amazed if these things had come upon them unexpectedly; fourthly, that after hearing these things, they might not be dismayed in the season of His cross; and lastly, that they might learn a new method of warfare. He sends them unprovided, bidding them look to those who should receive them for support; but rests not in that, but shows his power still further, Lo, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. Where observe that He does not say merely ‘to wolves,’ but in the midst of wolves, to show His excellent might therein, that the sheep would overcome the wolves though they