What does it mean to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves? Let’s discuss this great question.
[Adapted by permission from the article titled, ‘Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves’ by Dr. Steven R. Cook.]
Jesus told His disciples,
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise (shrewd) as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Wisely Avoid Danger
Christians sometimes find themselves in danger amid hungry wolves. To endure, we must keep pure purposes while acting shrewdly. Doves avoid conflict; likewise, Christians should avoid confrontations and attacks whenever possible.
Here is wisdom: If possible, Christians should “live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18). However, sometimes it’s not possible. When faced with unavoidable harm or injustice, Jesus told His disciples to be shrewd.
“Shrewd” (wise) translates from the Greek adjective phronimos, meaning thinking, understanding, or being wise. Translators render it as “shrewd,” “wise,” “prudent,” or “sensible.” In context, the term emphasizes wisdom and discernment, particularly in challenging or hostile environments (i.e., among wolves).
A New Testament Example of Shrewdness
When facing injustice, the Apostle Paul was shrewd and clever while protecting himself. In Acts 23:1-10, he faced corrupt leadership and potential violence. Acts 22 describes how the Jews brought Paul to trial because he testified that he had met the resurrected Jesus and converted to Christianity.
Shifting the Focus
By claiming he was on trial for believing in the resurrection, he split the Pharisees (who believed in a resurrection) and the Sadducees (who did not). He shifted the focus of the conflict and safeguarded himself from injustice. His statement, while truthful, disrupted the unified opposition against him. He skillfully leveraged the dynamics of his audience to his advantage.
Acts 23:21
In Acts 23, the Apostle Paul stood before his Jewish brethren, defending himself against unjust charges. After he declared his clear conscience before God (Acts 23:1), the high priest Ananias ordered the guard to strike Paul on the mouth (Acts 23:2).
Handling Injustice
This violence was unwarranted. The high priest’s responsibility was to uphold the fairness of the Mosaic Law in trials. Yet, he ordered his guards to strike Paul before the trial had begun. This conduct is consistent with what we know about him historically. The ancient historian Josephus said Ananias hoarded money, had wicked servants, and violently took away the priests’ tithes. [1]
Paul made a biting comment to the high priest, saying,
“God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit judging me according to the law, yet order me to be struck contrary to the law?” (Acts 23:3).
An Interesting Parallel
At Jesus’ trial, Jesus also questioned the violence against Him when the High Priest’s servant struck Him on the mouth (John 18:22-23).
Bystanders questioned Paul, demanding, “Do you criticize God’s high priest?” (Acts 23:4).
Paul apologized, stating,
“Brothers, I did not know that he was the high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people” (Acts 23:5; cf. Ex 22:28).
Note: Paul might not have recognized the high priest, or he could have been sarcastic, given that a law-abiding high priest wouldn’t command such injustice.
Taking the Offensive
Paul realized he wouldn’t receive justice from the corrupt leadership, so he took the offensive to divide his hearers. Luke reported that Paul,
“Knowing that one sect were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried out among the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of a Pharisee. I am being judged for my hope in the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6).
As a result,
“Dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided” (Acts 23:7).
Paul lobbed his words into the Council like a grenade into an enemy foxhole, causing an emotional explosion! His tactic succeeded, as “there was a great outcry” (Acts 23:9) and “much dissension arose” (Acts 23:10) among the unjust leadership.
When the violence threatened Paul, a Roman commander rescued and protected him (Acts 23:10).
What Does it Mean to be Shrewd as Serpents and Innocent as Doves?
Paul’s actions in Acts 23:1-10 were wise and shrewd, as Jesus advised in Matthew 10:16.
Paul divided the Pharisees and Sadducees by strategically claiming his trial was for believing in the resurrection.
Paul effectively shifted the focus and protected himself from an unjust and dangerous situation.
Paul cleverly navigated a hostile situation to be “wise as serpents” while maintaining integrity.
Paul disrupted his accusers and safeguarded himself as Jesus advised in a real-life context.
[1] Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 538.