Luke 22:35

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, When {G3753} I sent {G649} you {G5209} without {G817} purse {G905}, and {G2532} scrip {G4082}, and {G2532} shoes {G5266},{G3361} lacked ye {G5302} any thing {G5100}? And {G1161} they said {G2036}, Nothing {G3762}.

He said to them, “When I sent you out without wallet, pack or shoes, were you ever short of anything?” “Not a thing,” they answered.

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.

And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.

Commentary on Luke 22:35 KJV

In Luke 22:35, Jesus engages His disciples in a poignant rhetorical question, recalling their previous missionary journeys. This verse captures a significant moment of reflection and transition during the Last Supper, just hours before His betrayal and crucifixion.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' final discourse with His disciples before His arrest. He is preparing them for a radical shift in their circumstances following His departure. He begins by reminding them of their first sending, recorded in Luke 9:3-6 (and similarly in Matthew 10:9-10 and Mark 6:8-9). On that occasion, they were instructed to go "without purse, and scrip, and shoes" – meaning without a money bag, a traveling provision bag, or extra sandals. This command emphasized complete reliance on God's provision through the hospitality of others.

Jesus' question, "lacked ye any thing?" directly addresses the outcome of that initial mission. The disciples' unanimous reply, "Nothing," affirms God's perfect care and faithfulness during their period of utter dependence. This acknowledgment sets the stage for the dramatic shift in instructions given in the very next verse, Luke 22:36, where they are told to now acquire these very items.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision and Faithfulness: The primary message is God's unwavering ability to provide for those who serve Him. The disciples' experience confirmed that even when human provisions were absent, divine sustenance was sufficient. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's care for His servants, echoing principles of Philippians 4:19.
  • Trust and Dependence: The initial command forced the disciples into a posture of absolute trust in God and in the generosity of others. Their successful mission demonstrated the fruit of such radical dependence.
  • Preparation for Transition: Jesus uses this past experience of God's provision to build their confidence for the challenging times ahead. He reminds them of God's past faithfulness, which is crucial for facing future uncertainties.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek words used here are significant:

  • "Purse" (Greek: ballantion) refers to a money bag.
  • "Scrip" (Greek: pēra) refers to a traveling bag or knapsack, typically used for provisions or collecting alms.
  • "Shoes" (Greek: hupodēmata) refers to sandals or footwear.

The absence of these items on their first mission underscored their vulnerability and complete reliance on God's immediate provision. The rhetorical question highlights that despite this apparent lack, they experienced no actual want, a testament to God's direct and miraculous care.

Practical Application

Luke 22:35 encourages believers to reflect on God's past faithfulness in their own lives. Just as Jesus reminded His disciples of His past provision, we too can draw strength from remembering times when God met our needs, often in unexpected ways. This verse teaches us that God's methods of provision may change according to circumstances, but His commitment to care for His people remains constant. It builds a foundation of trust for future challenges, reminding us that if God provided before, He will provide again, even if the means differ.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 10:9

    Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

  • Matthew 10:10

    Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

  • Luke 10:4

    Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

  • Psalms 34:9

    O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.

  • Psalms 34:10

    The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

  • Psalms 23:1

    ¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.

  • Luke 9:3

    And he said unto them, Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

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