Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. The mission's danger is acknowledged: the disciples go as sheep among wolves — the same sheep and wolf imagery as the false prophets of 7:15, now applied to the disciples' vulnerability. The wisdom of serpents and innocence of doves are the complementary virtues for the dangerous mission: serpents were proverbially shrewd in perceiving and avoiding danger (Genesis 3:1 uses the word for the serpent's wisdom); doves were proverbially gentle and harmless. The combination prevents both naivety (innocence without wisdom) and cynical manipulation (wisdom without innocence).

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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