Behold: see comments on 1.20; most recently this particle of emphasis and transition was used in 9.20, 32. Here it may be “Look” or “Listen” (Good News Translation), or some similar word that Jesus might use to emphasize what he is about to say.
Send … out translates the same verb used in verse 5, and it derives from the same stem as the word “apostle” (see Matthew 10.2).
As sheep in the midst of wolves: Good News Translation uses the marker “pack” before wolves since it is the proper designation in English for a group of wolves that run together. Some languages may require such a marker. The metaphor sheep … wolves is a common one in both Jewish and Greek sources. Sheep are used as a symbol of defenseless animals, while wolves are ravenous and wild, attacking the sheep.
Many translators will have to make clear to readers the basis of the comparisons in the phrase as sheep in the midst of wolves. An example is “When I send you out into the world, it is like sending defenseless sheep out among ravenous wolves.” If wolves are not known, then translators may have to substitute “jackals” or “attacking dogs,” or some similar animals.
The adjectives wise and innocent are translated in numerous ways: “cautious” and “gentle” (Good News Translation), “wise” and “guileless” (An American Translation, Moffatt), “wise” and “harmless” (Phillips), “wise” and “pure” (Barclay), “cunning” and “harmless” (Jerusalem Bible), “wary” and “innocent” (New English Bible), “clever” and “innocent” (New American Bible). Depending upon the context the first of these adjectives may mean “wise,” “sensible,” or “thoughtful.” If the analogy is to the characteristic of the snake as portrayed in Genesis, for example, then “shrewd” or “cunning” may be intended. This does not, however, seem to be the meaning which Matthew intends. The disciple is not encouraged to play the role of a clever diplomat, but rather to be aware of and alert to the ever present danger that he faces because of his calling. If this analysis of the text is correct, then both New English Bible (“wary”) and Good News Translation: (“cautious”) are on target. Other words translators can use are then “prudent” and “careful.”
The meaning intended for the next adjective is even more difficult. Either Jesus is instructing his disciples to be “innocent” or “pure” (that is, to live lives that are genuine and that do not try to deceive) or else he is telling them to be “harmless” or “gentle” (that is, not to strike back at the people who come like wolves to destroy them). No final decision can be made. But if the meaning “cautious, wary, careful” is chosen for the meaning of the first adjective, then “harmless” or “gentle” provides a better balance. Care must be taken that the significance of serpents and doves in the receptor culture does not destroy or distort their emotional image in the Jewish setting. If this danger is felt to exist, then it is better to translate without using the comparison between the two animals: “I am sending you out among people who will attack you like wild animals. So be on your guard against them, but be gentle (or, pure) in the way that you live.”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .