Matthew 10:16

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

¶Ἰδοὺ, ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων: γίνεσθε οὖν φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις, καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί.

Transliteration

Idou, egō apostellō you as probata in mesō of-lykōn: ginesthe oun phronimoi as the opheis, and akeraioi as the peristerai.

Grammar Details

*Idou*: aorist middle imperative, 2nd singular - behold/look/see
*egō*: personal pronoun, nominative - I
*apostellō*: present active indicative, 1st singular - I send forth/send out
*probata*: accusative neuter plural - sheep
*mesō*: dative neuter singular - middle/midst
*lykōn*: genitive masculine plural - of wolves
*ginesthe*: present middle imperative, 2nd plural - become/be
*oun*: inferential particle - therefore/then
*phronimoi*: nominative masculine plural - wise/prudent
*opheis*: nominative masculine plural - serpents
*akeraioi*: nominative masculine plural - innocent/harmless
*peristerai*: nominative feminine plural - doves

Word Meanings

*Idou*: behold/look/see
*apostellō*: I send forth/send out/commission
*probata*: sheep/flock
*mesō*: middle/midst/among
*lykōn*: wolves/predators
*ginesthe*: become/be/prove yourselves
*phronimoi*: wise/prudent/shrewd
*opheis*: serpents/snakes
*akeraioi*: innocent/harmless/unmixed
*peristerai*: doves/pigeons

ℹ️

About this Translation

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: King James VersionBest for: Original-language word studies

🎯 Translation Approach

Classic King James Version text presented with Strong's numbering to link English words to their underlying Hebrew and Greek terms. Prioritizes literal/formal correspondence while enabling original-language word study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Each English term is keyed to a Strong's number, enabling direct lookup of the underlying Hebrew or Greek word.
KJV text basis: Employs the classic King James Version wording known for formal equivalence and literary style.
Study-focused layout: Optimized for research and analysis, prioritizing lexical access over uninterrupted readability.
Concordance compatibility: Strong's numbers map to widely available concordances and lexicons for deeper study.

✅ Strengths

Strong linkage to original Hebrew/Greek via Strong's numbers
High concordance with source wording
Well-suited for in-depth word studies and exegesis
Widely recognized and referenced KJV text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language can be difficult for modern readers
Reference numbers can disrupt continuous reading
Less suitable for public or devotional reading compared to modern translations

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Students of biblical languages
Pastors and teachers
Serious Bible students
Researchers needing lexical linkage
Readers preferring KJV tradition

Consider alternatives for

New believers
Casual devotional reading
Children and young readers
English language learners

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Luke 10:3 : 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Acts 20:29 : 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
1 Cor 14:20 : 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Phil 2:15 : 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
2 Cor 11:3 : 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Col 4:5 : 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Gen 3:1 : 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Rom 16:18-19 : 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Eph 5:15-17 : 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
1 Thess 2:10 : 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
1 Thess 5:22 : 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
2 Cor 11:14 : 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Col 1:9 : 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
2 Cor 1:12 : 12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2 Cor 8:20 : 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
Gen 3:13 : 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
Luke 21:15 : 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Luke 10:3-4
2 verses
87%
3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
Matt 10:17-19
3 verses
80%
17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Matt 7:15-16
2 verses
76%
15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Matt 10:14-15
2 verses
74%
14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mark 13:9-11
3 verses
73%
9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
10And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
11But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Matt 23:33-34
2 verses
72%
33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
Matt 10:5-7
3 verses
72%
5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7And as ye go, preach, saying , The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt 7:6
72%
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Matt 10:22-23
2 verses
72%
22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Acts 20:29
71%
29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Luke 10:19
71%
19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
John 10:11-12
2 verses
70%
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Mark 14:27
69%
27And Jesus saith unto them , All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
Luke 12:11
69%
11And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
Jer 8:17
68%
17For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
Matt 5:11-12
2 verses
68%
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matt 10:27-28
2 verses
68%
27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 10:10
68%
10But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Luke 21:16
68%
16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luke 21:12
68%
12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
John 16:1-2
2 verses
68%
1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Luke 10:8
68%
8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
Luke 6:22
68%
22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Mark 6:10
67%
10And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
John 15:20
67%
20Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Matt 26:31
67%
31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
John 10:16
67%
16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Matt 15:14
67%
14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
John 10:8
67%
8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
Matt 25:32
67%
32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Luke 3:7
67%
7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Luke 9:5
67%
5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
Mark 16:18
67%
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Matt 18:10
67%
10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 24:9
67%
9Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.