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.

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Take {G142} nothing {G3367} for {G1519} your journey {G3598}, neither {G3383} staves {G4464}, nor {G3383} scrip {G4082}, neither {G3383} bread {G740}, neither {G3383} money {G694}; neither {G3383} have {G2192} two {G1417} coats {G5509} apiece {G303}.

He said to them, “Take nothing for your trip — neither a walking stick nor a pack, neither bread nor money; and don’t have two shirts.

“Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic.

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

Commentary

Context of Luke 9:3

In Luke chapter 9, Jesus is commissioning His twelve apostles, empowering them with authority over demons and the ability to heal diseases. He then sends them out "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick" (Luke 9:2). The instructions in verse 3, to "Take nothing for [your] journey," are specific directives for this immediate, Spirit-led mission, emphasizing complete reliance on divine provision and the hospitality of those they would encounter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Radical Dependence on God: The primary message is one of absolute trust in God to provide for their needs. By forbidding them to take staves (walking sticks), scrip (a travel bag), bread, money, or even an extra coat, Jesus was teaching them to rely entirely on Him and the generosity of others, rather than their own resources or foresight. This underscores a foundational principle of seeking God's kingdom first.
  • Simplicity and Urgency: Traveling light symbolized a focus on the urgent mission at hand, unburdened by material possessions or logistical concerns. It encouraged them to move quickly and avoid distractions, prioritizing the proclamation of the Kingdom.
  • Faith in Providence: These instructions were a practical lesson in faith. The apostles were to learn firsthand that God would meet their needs through the people they served, demonstrating His faithfulness and the reciprocal nature of ministry.
  • Kingdom Priorities: The commands highlight that the message of the Kingdom of God was paramount, far outweighing any personal comfort or worldly security.

Linguistic Insights

The term "scrip" (Greek: pēra) refers to a small leather bag or pouch typically used by travelers or shepherds to carry provisions. The prohibition against carrying it, along with "staves" (Greek: rhabdos - a staff or rod for support or defense), emphasizes a complete divestment of typical travel necessities and self-sufficiency tools. This highlights the unique nature of their mission and their total dependence on God's care.

Cross-References and Contextual Understanding

These instructions have parallels in other Gospel accounts of Jesus sending out His disciples, such as Matthew 10:9-10 and Mark 6:8-9. While there are slight variations (e.g., Mark allows a staff), the core principle of radical dependence and simplicity remains consistent across the accounts. It is important to note that these were specific instructions for a particular, short-term missionary journey. Later, Jesus gives different instructions regarding provisions in Luke 22:35-36, indicating that the immediate context of a mission can influence the practical application of principles.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 9:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of:

  • Trusting God for Provision: While not a command to abandon all preparation for every journey, it challenges us to cultivate a deep trust in God's ability to provide, especially when we are engaged in His work. It echoes the sentiment of Philippians 4:19, that God "shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
  • Simplicity in Service: It encourages us to evaluate our material attachments and to prioritize our spiritual mission over worldly comforts or excessive possessions.
  • Focus on the Message: The verse calls us to maintain a single-minded focus on proclaiming the good news of God's Kingdom, unhindered by unnecessary burdens or distractions.
  • Dependence, Not Self-Sufficiency: It reminds us that our strength and resources come from God, not from ourselves, fostering humility and a reliance on divine empowerment in our service.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • Psalms 37:3

    Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Luke 10:4

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

  • Luke 10:12

    But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

  • Matthew 10:9

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

  • Matthew 10:14

    And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

  • Mark 6:8

    And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse:
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