Jesus used the metaphor of sheep and wolves to describe His followers and the dangers they would face in the world. This imagery comes from Matthew 10:16, where Jesus says, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
To understand what Jesus meant by this statement, it’s helpful to examine the characteristics of sheep, wolves, and the relationship between them. Sheep are known to be gentle, quiet, docile creatures that flock together and follow a shepherd. In contrast, wolves are cunning predators that hunt sheep. Sheep have little defense against wolves and are easy prey for them.
In using this metaphor, Jesus was warning His disciples that He was sending them out into a hostile world that would oppose them and seek to devour them. As sheep among wolves, the disciples were to expect persecution, suffering, and danger from those who rejected the gospel. Yet Jesus calls them to face these trials with a spirit of innocence, virtue, simplicity, and purity like gentle sheep. At the same time, they are to pair this innocence with shrewdness in how they respond to persecution, being “wise as serpents.”
Jesus often used pastoral metaphors like sheep, shepherds, and wolves when teaching about the kingdom of God. As the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), Jesus was preparing His flock for ministry in a fallen world where they would inevitably encounter “wolves” who seek to harm the church. Persecution would come, but the disciples were not to respond with violence or vengeance. Instead, they were to move forward with spiritual wisdom, discerning when to flee (Matthew 10:23) and when to stand firm.
Some key lessons we can draw about what it means to be “sheep among wolves” include:
- The world is hostile to the message of the gospel.
- Followers of Jesus will face opposition and persecution.
- We are vulnerable and need to rely on God’s protection and provision.
- God may call us to places and situations where we are spiritually outmatched.
- We should respond to evil with innocence, not violence.
- Wisdom, discernment, and level-headedness are needed in the midst of spiritual wolves.
- Our Good Shepherd will be with us, even when we walk in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).
1. The world is hostile to the message of the gospel
Jesus described the world that the disciples were going into as “the midst of wolves.” Wolves are natural predators of sheep, ready to pounce and destroy them. By calling the disciples “sheep among wolves,” Jesus was being realistic about the level of danger and hostility they would face as they proclaimed the gospel. The unbelieving world would act ferociously against them, seeking to tear them apart with persecution and suffering.
We see this reality unfold in the book of Acts as the disciples faced intense pushback for preaching Christ. They were arrested (Acts 4:3), flogged (Acts 5:40), stoned (Acts 7:58), and killed (Acts 12:2) for their faith. This confirms that darkness hates the light. There is something about the message of the cross that incites unbelievers to lash out against it. The world spurns God’s truth and pursues its own wisdom instead (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
While overt persecution may not be as common in some parts of the world today, followers of Jesus should expect various forms of opposition. Family members and friends may distance themselves from you. You may face lies, criticism, or harassment for living out biblical values. Subtle marginalization occurs in societies that grow increasingly secular and morally relativistic. The “wolves” may look less ferocious than in first century Palestine, but alienation and backlash still happen when we stand firm in the faith.
2. Followers of Jesus will face opposition and persecution
Jesus was transparent that those who choose to follow Him will encounter opposition. In John 15:18-21 He says:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:18-21)
Because disciples of Jesus are no longer “of the world” but citizens of heaven, we should expect to be treated as foreigners and outsiders. Often, following Jesus means swimming against the current of culture rather than floating comfortably downstream. This attracts turmoil and backlash.
We must embrace the reality that a cost comes with discipleship. Following Jesus impacts all areas of life and will spark spiritual friction. It brings us into conflict with spiritual forces opposed to the ways of God. Persecution of varying kinds and levels is promised for believers.
Rather than being discouraged by opposition, we can see it as an opportunity to share Christ’s love in action. Our values and responses should be so heavenly-minded that even persecutors might wonder at the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). Hardship can refine our faith and liberate us from fearing human opinion or retaliation. We can rest secure in the knowledge that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
3. We are vulnerable and need to rely on God’s protection and provision
On our own, disciples of Jesus are as helpless and defenseless as sheep surrounded by wolves on all sides. We do not have the strength, cunning, or ferocity to overcome spiritual enemies in our own ability. No amount of earthly power or status exempts us from spiritual vulnerability.
Like all sheep, we are dependent creatures who need a shepherd to lead us. We also need the host and protection only God’s presence can provide. Without divine oversight and protection, disciples are easy prey for sin, temptation, falsehood, and despair.
The awareness of vulnerability drives us to rely on divine resources. Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Our safety is found in the hands of our Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. When we walk closely with Him, we are kept and guarded from the evil one (1 John 5:18). We can turn to our Great Shepherd when we are anxious, knowing He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Though we pass through trials, He will make us lie down in green pastures and lead us beside still waters (Psalm 23:2-3).
Part of being sheep among wolves is developing a mindset of humility, spiritual poverty, and childlike trust in God’s oversight. We must stay near to Jesus rather than wander into the wilderness alone. Dependence keeps us sheltered under His wing.
4. God may call us to places and situations where we are spiritually outmatched
Since Jesus intentionally sent His disciples into hostile settings where they were like vulnerable sheep surrounded by predators, we can deduce that God sometimes calls believers into situations where they are outmatched. The Lord directed the disciples straight into the “wolf den” rather than giving them an easy assignment in some peaceful valley.
This is meant to teach us to rely fully on divine power rather than self-sufficiency. We learn to trust the Shepherd’s voice and draw courage from His rod and staff (Psalm 23:4). As sheep, we do not abandon the path our Shepherd has led just because dangers surround us. We continue following His lead, even when the way seems treacherous and uncertain.
When we find ourselves in challenging or threatening circumstances while walking in God’s will, we can have confidence that we are exactly where He wants us to be. We know that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). This empowers us to stay faithful even when the odds seem against us and fear howls like wolves in the night.
No amount of earthly power or status exempts us from spiritual vulnerability. God allows us to encounter situations where we must cling to Him rather than trusting our own strength and wisdom. Our weak frame becomes a stage for His strength to be shown as perfect and glorious.
5. We should respond to evil with innocence, not violence
Since sheep have no claws, horns, or sharp teeth to use in self-defense, they model innocence and purity in the face of danger. Sheep do not turn aggressive or counterattack like wolves even when under duress. Similarly, Jesus calls disciples to face persecution and hostility without violence and retaliation.
While Jesus sent His followers into a hostile world, He specifically commanded them to be as gentle and pure as sheep, yet as wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16). As defenseless sheep surrounded by wolves on all sides, they can either panic and lash out in the flesh or bravely follow their Shepherd in the Spirit.
We see modeled by Jesus and the early church how to face opposition with dignity, grace, and supernatural love. At Jesus’ arrest, when Peter drew a sword to fight the guards, Christ rebuked him and healed the man’s ear that Peter had injured (Luke 22:50-51). This calls us to a non-violent response to injustice and persecution, even when it may cost us greatly.
The early church provide more examples of responding to persecution with grace. Stephen prayed for his killers as they stoned him (Acts 7:60). Paul endured beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, and imprisonment without retaliation against his persecutors. Time and again, Scripture instructs us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and refrain from vengeance.
It takes deep humility and an eternal perspective to suffer unjustly without lashing back. As citizens of God’s kingdom, we leave room for His wrath and avoid taking revenge into our own hands (Romans 12:19). We can rejoice that we share in the sufferings of Christ so that His power may rest on us (1 Peter 4:13-14).
6. Wisdom, discernment, and level-headedness are needed in the midst of spiritual wolves.
Since Jesus told his disciples to be as shrewd as serpents in the context of sheep among wolves, we see the call for wisdom and discernment amidst persecution. Serpents represent cunning, carefulness, and foresight. Our spiritual enemies are crafty, so we must be cautious rather than naive, yet remain innocent.
In fulfillment of Christ’s words, Paul frequently demonstrated discernment in tense situations that preserved his life and ministry. When a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted to arrest Paul, he divided their opinions against each other and escaped (Acts 23:6-11). He also used his Roman citizenship to ensure fair treatment and avoid punishment on false charges (Acts 22:25-29).
We need Holy Spirit guidance to navigate persecution and opposition with wisdom. The Lord promises that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). As sheep among wolves, we can ask God to give us discretion, caution, and shrewdness to advance His Kingdom without compromising love.
Wisdom provides stability of mind under pressure and stress. It delivers us from rash choices and foolish arguments by giving us patience, gentleness, and foresight. We stay grounded in truth while the world descends into deception and outrage. By acting with wisdom and innocence, we give enemies no legitimate grounds for attack.
7. Our Good Shepherd will be with us, even when we walk in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows His sheep by name and they recognize His voice (John 10:3-4). He promises never to leave or forsake those who belong to His flock (Hebrews 13:5). Because we follow such a vigilant Shepherd, we do not need to live in terror of the prowling wolves even when we walk through dark valleys. He tends and keeps us wherever He leads us.
Our Shepherd carries a rod and staff to protect the sheep from predators. The rod was used to fend off wild animals while the staff was used to gently guide and retrieve wayward sheep. Likewise, Jesus wields all authority in heaven and on earth to destroy spiritual enemies and uphold believers through trials (Matthew 28:18-20). We have nothing to fear, even in death’s shadow.
God often leads us through difficult valleys for our growth, refinement, and testimony. But rod and staff impart courage, comfort, and peace in these dark times. We are reminded, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Our Shepherd’s constant presence makes all the difference.
No matter how fierce the wolves or deep the valley, Jesus the Good Shepherd pledges to guide followers all the way to our eternal home. The sheep have nothing to fear if we keep near Him. He was willing to lay down His life for us and will shepherd us through life to the Father’s house where no enemy can pursue us.
