Luke 10:3

as lambs -as sheep," Matthew 10:16 (of the Twelve). The slight variation must not be pressed. The impression meant to be conveyed is merely that of simplicity and defencelessness. A tradition, as old as Clemens Romanus, tells us that St Peter had asked (on the previous occasion), -But how then if the wolves should tear the lambs?" and that Jesus replied, -Let not the lambs fear the wolves when the lambs are once dead," and added the words in Matthew 10:28. There is no reason to doubt this interesting tradition, which may rank as one of the most certain of the -unwritten sayings" (agrapha dogmata)of our Lord.