“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Christ prepares them not merely for that brief first mission, but for fiercer warfare to come. Before His resurrection the apostles were spared, treated as guests at a wedding; after His departure, the Lord Himself brought them into the hardships He had warned them of, so they would know why they needed those arms from the start.
AI summary
Christ sends you as sheep into wolves' jaws, so you must learn to combine the serpent's cunning with the dove's innocence. He forewarned the disciples of sufferings to come, not to shake their faith, but to steel it; when troubles arrive as He predicted, they will confirm rather than destroy what you believe.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 10:16-42
Beware of men of authority, the Scribes, Pharisees, elders, chief priests, who will seize every chance to use their power against you. They will drag you before the councils and scourge you in their synagogues, where the courts of the judges hold their seat.
AI summary