Jesus told His disciples, “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matt 10:16). There are times when Christians will find themselves in the midst of a pack of wolves, which is a dangerous situation. When this happens, they should maintain purity in their intentions while being shrewd in their conduct to avoid unwarranted harm.[1] Doves are known to avoid conflict; likewise, Christians should wisely avoid confrontations and attacks whenever possible. Here is wisdom: if possible, Christians should “be at peace with all men” (Rom 12:18b). However, sometimes it is not possible to be at peace with everyone. When faced with unavoidable harm or injustice, Jesus’ disciples were instructed to be shrewd. The word “shrewd” translates the Greek adjective phronimos (φρόνιμος), which means to think, to have understanding, or to be wise. It is commonly translated as “shrewd,” “wise,” “prudent,” or “sensible.” In the context of Matthew 10:16, where Jesus tells His disciples to be “shrewd as serpents,” the term emphasizes the need for Christians to be wise and discerning in their interactions and decisions, particularly in challenging or hostile environments (i.e., among wolves).
A New Testament Example of Shrewdness
When facing an unjust situation, the apostle Paul behaved shrewdly and used a clever strategy to protect himself. In Acts 23:1-10, Paul confronted corrupt leadership and potential violence. By claiming he was on trial for his belief in the resurrection, he created a division between the Pharisees and Sadducees. This tactic shifted the focus of the confrontation and safeguarded him from an injustice. This strategy highlights Paul’s wisdom and resourcefulness, as his statement, while truthful, also disrupted the unified opposition against him and demonstrated his skill in leveraging the dynamics of his audience to his advantage.
In Acts 23, the apostle Paul stood before his Jewish brethren, defending himself against unjust charges. After declaring that he had a clear conscience before God (Acts 23:1), Paul was struck on the mouth by order of the high priest Ananias (Acts 23:2). This act of violence was completely unwarranted. The high priest, who was supposed to uphold the fairness of the Mosaic Law in trials, violated this principle by ordering Paul to be punished before the trial had even begun. This behavior by Ananias is consistent from what we know about him historically. The ancient historian, Josephus, said Ananias “was a great hoarder up of money…and he also had servants who were very wicked, who joined themselves to the boldest sort of the people, and went to the threshing floors, and took away the tithes that belonged to the priests by violence, and did not refrain from beating such as would not give these tithes to them”[2] Warren Wiersbe agrees, saying, “Ananias was indeed one of the most corrupt men ever to be named high priest. He stole tithes from the other priests and did all he could to increase his authority. He was known as a brutal man who cared more for Rome’s favor than for Israel’s welfare.”[3]
Paul reacted and made a scathing comment to the high priest, saying, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” (Acts 23:3). Interestingly, Jesus also questioned the violence done against Him when He was struck on the mouth (John 18:22-23).
Paul was challenged by bystanders who asked, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” (Acts 23:4). In response, Paul apologized, stating, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people’” (Acts 23:5; cf. Ex 22:28). Paul might not have recognized the high priest, or he could have been sarcastic, given that a law-abiding high priest would not have commanded such unjust violence.
In that moment, Paul realized he would not receive justice from the corrupt leadership, so he took the offensive by making statements that divided his hearers. Luke reports that Paul, “perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in the Council, ‘Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!’” (Acts 23:6). As a result, “there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided” (Acts 23:7). Paul lobbed his words into the Council like a grenade into an enemy foxhole, knowing it would cause an emotional explosion. His tactic succeeded, as his words led to “a great uproar” (Acts 23:9a) and “a great dissension” (Acts 23:10a) among the leadership who were unjustly treating him. The result was that Paul was rescued by a Roman commander who pulled him out of the unjust and dangerous situation (Acts 23:10b).
In summary, Paul’s actions in Acts 23:1-10 exemplify the wisdom and shrewdness Jesus advised in Matthew 10:16. By strategically claiming he was on trial for his belief in the resurrection, Paul created a division between the Pharisees and Sadducees, effectively shifting the focus away from himself and protecting himself from an unjust and dangerous situation. This clever maneuver demonstrated Paul’s ability to navigate a hostile situation with prudence and resourcefulness, aligning with Jesus’ teaching to be “wise as serpents” while maintaining integrity. Paul’s strategy to disrupt his accusers and safeguard himself showcases the application of this principle in a real-life context.
Dr. Steven R. Cook
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[1] Similarly, in the parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16:1-8, Jesus acknowledges the steward’s shrewdness in handling his predicament, though He does not endorse his dishonesty. This parable illustrates that while shrewdness can be useful in navigating complex situations, it must be accompanied by righteousness and integrity.
[2] Flavius Josephus and William Whiston, The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987), 538.
[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 494.