MAT 10:16 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Ἰδού
2. horaō
3. Behold
4. Look
5. 37080
6. IMAM2··S
7. see
8. behold
9. PS
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5869
1. ἐγώ
2. egō
3. I
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5870
1. ἀποστέλλω
2. apostellō
3. am sending out
4. sending
5. 6490
6. VIPA1··S
7. ˓am˒ sending_out
8. ˓am˒ sending_out
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5871
1. ὑμᾶς
2. su
3. you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2A·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee; R5650
11. 5872
1. ὡς
2. hōs
3. as
4. -
5. 56130
6. C·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5873
1. πρόβατα
2. probaton
3. sheep
4. sheep
5. 42630
6. N····NNP
7. sheep
8. sheep
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5874
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5875
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. -
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. -
11. 5876
1. μέσῳ
2. mesos
3. +the midst
4. -
5. 33190
6. S····DNS
7. ˓the˒ midst
8. ˓the˒ midst
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5877
1. μέσον
2. mesos
3. -
4. -
5. 33190
6. S····ANS
7. ˓the˒ midst
8. ˓the˒ midst
9. -
10. -
11. 5878
1. λύκων
2. lukos
3. of wolves
4. wolves
5. 30740
6. N····GMP
7. ˱of˲ wolves
8. ˱of˲ wolves
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5879
1. γίνεσθε
2. ginomai
3. be becoming
4. -
5. 10960
6. VMPM2··P
7. ˓be˒ becoming
8. ˓be˒ becoming
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee; R5650
11. 5880
1. οὖν
2. oun
3. therefore
4. -
5. 37670
6. C·······
7. therefore
8. therefore
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5881
1. φρόνιμοι
2. fronimos
3. shrewd
4. shrewd
5. 54290
6. S····NMP
7. shrewd
8. shrewd
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5882
1. ὡς
2. hōs
3. as
4. -
5. 56130
6. C·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5883
1. οἱ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMP
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5884
1. ὁ
2. ho
3. -
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. -
11. 5885
1. ὄφεις
2. ofis
3. serpents
4. -
5. 37890
6. N····NMP
7. serpents
8. serpents
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5886
1. ὄφις
2. ofis
3. -
4. -
5. 37890
6. N····NMS
7. serpent
8. serpent
9. -
10. -
11. 5887
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. and
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5888
1. ἁπλούστατοι
2. haploustatos
3. -
4. -
5. 5735
6. S····NMP
7. simplest
8. simplest
9. -
10. -
11. 5889
1. ἀκέραιοι
2. akeraios
3. innocent
4. innocent
5. 1850
6. S····NMP
7. innocent
8. innocent
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5890
1. ὡς
2. hōs
3. as
4. -
5. 56130
6. C·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5891
1. αἱ
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NFP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5892
1. περιστεραί
2. peristera
3. doves
4. doves
5. 40580
6. N····NFP
7. doves
8. doves
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5893

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:5–42: Jesus instructed the twelve apostles

In this section, Jesus gave various instructions to the twelve apostles. In 10:5–15, he gave them some practical instructions for preaching the good news. In 10:16–33, he described the opposition that they would see when they went out. Lastly, in 10:34–42, he described the commitment required to be a disciple and the reward for being a disciple.

You may want to break this long section into several shorter sections. Here is an example:

Section 10:5–15	The things the apostles should/must do when sent
Section 10:16–33	The difficulties the apostles will face
Section 10:34–42	The cost and reward of following Jesus

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Jesus gave directions/instructions to the twelve apostles for preaching the gospel

The Mission of the Twelve (GNT)

Instructions for the Twelve Apostles (CEV)

10:16a

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves;

¶ “Listen! I am sending you^(plur) into danger like sheep among wolves.
¶ “I am sending you^(plur) out to cruel/evil people. It is like sending sheep into the middle of wild dogs.

Behold: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Behold indicates that something extraordinary or important will happen or be said. Here, the amazing thing is the danger that the disciples will face.

Here is another way to translate this word:

Listen! (GNT)

Watch out!

I am sending you out: This clause refers to Jesus sending the disciples to preach the good news, heal the sick, and so forth (10:7–8).

like sheep among wolves: This phrase is a comparison called a simile. In this simile, Jesus compared the disciples to sheep. He compared the people they will face to wolves. Sheep are in danger when they are among wolves. In the same way, the disciples will be in danger when they tell the good news to people who do not want to accept it.

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

Keep the simile. For example:
like sheep among wild dogs
Make the comparison explicit in the text. For example:
into danger like sheep among wolves
like sheep among dangerous wild dogs
Make the parts of the simile explicit. For example:
I am sending you out to cruel/evil people. It is like sending sheep to wild dogs.
Explain the simile in a footnote. Here is a sample footnote:
This is a picture of dangerous situations, because wolves attack sheep and eat them. Telling the good news of Jesus will sometimes be dangerous.

wolves: The word wolves refers to a type of wild dog. They weigh 60–80 kilograms. They roam around in groups and attack other animals and eat them.

If people in your area are not familiar with wolves, you may want to:

Use different animals that have similar characteristics to wolves. For example:
panthers
hyenas
Use a more general term. For example:
wild dogs
dangerous/wild animals

10:16b

therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

So be^(plur) careful/cautious like snakes and be harmless like doves.
Therefore, be wise/careful and gentle in those dangerous situations.

therefore: In 10:16b Jesus gave two commands. The basis for these commands is the danger that he warned them about in 10:16a. These commands are introduced with a conjunction that the BSB translates as therefore.

Here is another way to introduce these commands:

so (ESV)

be as shrewd as snakes: This is a command. It is also a simile. In this command, Jesus told his disciples to be wise like serpents are wise.

The Greek word that the BSB translates as shrewd means “sensible” or “prudent.” It refers to having good judgment in difficult situations. In Jewish culture, snakes were thought to be good examples of being cautious and careful.

If people in your area do not think of snakes as wise, translate the meaning without using a simile. For example:

be wise

be cautious/careful

as innocent as doves: This is a command. It is also a simile. In this command, Jesus told his disciples to be innocent like doves are innocent.

The Greek word that the BSB translates as innocent refers to being harmless (NLT) or gentle (GNT). Here it refers to not harming your enemies.

The doves are small birds like pigeons. In Jewish culture, doves were thought to be good examples of being innocent. If people in your area do not think of doves as innocent, you should translate the meaning without using a simile. For example:

be gentle

be harmless

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἰδοὺ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἰδού ἐγώ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων γίνεσθε οὖν φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις καί ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί)

The word behold draws the attention of the audience and asks them to listen carefully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express behold with a word or phrase that asks the audience to listen, or you could draw the audience’s attention in another way. Alternate translation: [Look] or [Consider this:]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ὡς πρόβατα ἐν μέσῳ λύκων

as sheep in ˓the˒_midst ˱of˲_wolves

Jesus compares his disciples to sheep, animals which are defenseless and not dangerous. He compares people who want to harm them to wolves, animals which are dangerous and likely to kill and eat sheep. If it would be helpful in your language, you could explain the simile or use more general expressions for the animals. Alternate translation: [as sheep in the midst of wolves, since some people will want to harm you] or [as harmless animals that will encounter a group of predators]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις

shrewd as ¬the serpents

Jesus wants his disciples to be like serpents, which were considered wise in Jesus’ culture. If serpents are not considered wise in your culture, you may need to express the idea without the simile form. In this context, the phrase wise as the serpents could mean that the disciples should be: (1) clever or shrewd. Alternate translation: [shrewd] (2) watchful. Alternate translation: [watchful] or [careful]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί

innocent as the doves

Jesus wants his disciples to be like doves, which were considered harmless in Jesus’ culture. If doves are not considered harmless in your culture, you may need to express the idea without the simile form. In this context, the phrase harmless as the doves could mean that the disciples should be: (1) innocent. Alternate translation: [guileless] or [without guilt] (2) gentle. Alternate translation: [gentle] or [kind]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Behold
2. Look
3. 37080
4. PS
5. horaō
6. I-MAM2··S
7. see
8. behold
9. PS
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5869
1. I
2. -
3. 14730
5. egō
6. R-···1N·S
7. I
8. I
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5870
1. am sending
2. sending
3. 6490
5. apostellō
6. V-IPA1··S
7. ˓am˒ sending_out
8. ˓am˒ sending_out
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5871
1. you all
2. -
3. 47710
5. su
6. R-···2A·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee; R5650
11. 5872
1. out
2. sending
3. 6490
5. apostellō
6. V-IPA1··S
7. ˓am˒ sending_out
8. ˓am˒ sending_out
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5871
1. as
2. -
3. 56130
5. hōs
6. C-·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5873
1. sheep
2. sheep
3. 42630
5. probaton
6. N-····NNP
7. sheep
8. sheep
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5874
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5875
1. +the midst
2. -
3. 33190
5. mesos
6. S-····DNS
7. ˓the˒ midst
8. ˓the˒ midst
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5877
1. of wolves
2. wolves
3. 30740
5. lukos
6. N-····GMP
7. ˱of˲ wolves
8. ˱of˲ wolves
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5879
1. therefore
2. -
3. 37670
5. oun
6. C-·······
7. therefore
8. therefore
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5881
1. be becoming
2. -
3. 10960
5. ginomai
6. V-MPM2··P
7. ˓be˒ becoming
8. ˓be˒ becoming
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee; R5650
11. 5880
1. shrewd
2. shrewd
3. 54290
5. fronimos
6. S-····NMP
7. shrewd
8. shrewd
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5882
1. as
2. -
3. 56130
5. hōs
6. C-·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5883
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NMP
7. ¬the
8. ¬the
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5884
1. serpents
2. -
3. 37890
5. ofis
6. N-····NMP
7. serpents
8. serpents
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5886
1. and
2. and
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5888
1. innocent
2. innocent
3. 1850
5. akeraios
6. S-····NMP
7. innocent
8. innocent
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5890
1. as
2. -
3. 56130
5. hōs
6. C-·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5891
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NFP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5892
1. doves
2. doves
3. 40580
5. peristera
6. N-····NFP
7. doves
8. doves
9. -
10. Y33; T3rd_Tour_of_Galilee
11. 5893

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear MAT 10:16

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 10:5–42: Jesus instructed the twelve apostles

10:16a

10:16b

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)