Jesus prepares His disciples to expect the same treatment as meted out to Him. The disciple remains a life-long student of Jesus because Jesus teaches wisdom about life itself. Jesus is not one among many teachers as believed by the Gnostics.

The disciples are sent as defenceless creatures (sheep) among predators (wolves). They are urged to be shrewd but simple as doves. Their saving faith will be their persistent practice in the face of the terrors to be experienced during times of persecution. As they experience anxiety in speaking before public trials they are not to worry for "it is not you who will be speaking: the Spirit in your Father will be speaking of you."

Like Jesus they will experience hatred and divisions even within their own families and subsequent betrayal but all these terrors are outweighed by confidence in the Spirit and in their ultimate vindication when God's Kingdom comes eventually. Their mission will outlast these trials and tribulations and though "you will be hated by all men on account of my name, the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Throughout their entire struggle to make Jesus Christ known and loved they will rejoice with the Psalmist:

(Ps.50) "My mouth shall declare your praise." And they would know with certainty that "the ways of the Lord are straight and the virtuous walk in them."(Hos. 14:10).