Luke 9:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 9:3, Jesus issues precise and radical instructions to His twelve disciples as He commissions them for a missionary journey: they are to take nothing for their travels—no staff, no bag, no food, no money, and only one tunic. This command underscores a profound call to absolute dependence on God's provision, a singular focus on the urgent proclamation of the Kingdom, and a practical lesson in faith that prioritizes divine resources over human self-sufficiency.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very beginning of Jesus' commissioning of the Twelve Apostles, immediately following His imparting of power and authority to them over demons and diseases ([Luke 9:1](/luke/9-1 "Luke 9:1 - Jesus Gives Power to the Twelve")). The preceding verse ([Luke 9:2](/luke/9-2 "Luke 9:2 - The Mission of the Twelve")) explicitly states their dual mission: "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." Therefore, the instructions in [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") are not general advice for life, but specific, immediate directives for this particular, short-term, Spirit-empowered evangelistic and healing mission. The ensuing narrative details their obedience to these commands and their successful ministry ([Luke 9:6](/luke/9-6 "Luke 9:6 - The Disciples Go Out")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee and Judea, travelers typically carried provisions for their journey: a staff for support and defense, a scrip (a small leather bag) for food, money for purchases, and perhaps an extra tunic for changes or warmth. Hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural norm, especially in rural areas, where travelers often relied on the generosity of strangers. Jesus' instructions directly contradict these common travel practices, signaling a radical departure from societal norms. By forbidding these essentials, Jesus was not only testing their faith but also preparing them to experience God's provision through the very people to whom they ministered, thereby fostering a reciprocal relationship between the apostles and their hosts, and ensuring that their mission was not perceived as a commercial enterprise.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Radical Dependence on God**, echoing principles found in Jesus' teaching on worry and provision in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). It also highlights the **Urgency and Simplicity of the Kingdom Message**, emphasizing that the proclamation of God's reign takes precedence over personal comfort or material concerns. This aligns with Jesus' call to discipleship, which often involves self-denial and prioritizing the Kingdom above all else, as seen in passages like [Luke 14:25-33](/luke/14-25-33 "Luke 14:25-33 - The Cost of Discipleship"). Furthermore, the instructions implicitly teach **Faith in Divine Providence**, demonstrating that God is faithful to meet the needs of those who commit themselves fully to His work, a truth powerfully articulated in [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Need").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Greek, _aírō'_):** This verb means "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away." In this context, it functions as a strong prohibition, commanding the disciples not to "take up" or "carry away" any of the specified items. It implies a complete divestment of personal provisions, emphasizing a reliance on external, divine supply rather than self-sufficiency.
* **journey (Greek, _hodós'_):** Literally meaning "a road" or "way," _hodós_ here refers to the act of traveling or the specific missionary journey upon which the disciples are embarking. The prohibition on carrying items is directly tied to the nature and purpose of this particular mission, highlighting its unique requirements and the disciples' role as unburdened messengers.
* **neither (Greek, _mḗte'_):** This particle, used repeatedly in the verse, functions as a strong, cumulative negation ("not too, i.e., neither or nor"). Its repetition ("neither...nor...neither...neither...neither") creates a powerful rhetorical effect, underscoring the absolute and comprehensive nature of Jesus' prohibition against carrying any of the listed items, leaving no room for ambiguity or partial compliance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This introductory phrase establishes Jesus as the speaker and the Twelve as the direct recipients of these authoritative commands, underscoring the divine origin and binding nature of the instructions for their mission.
* **"Take nothing for [your] journey,"**: This is the overarching command, setting the tone for radical dependence. The prohibition against taking "nothing" (Greek: _mēdeís_, "not even one thing") for their travels immediately challenges conventional wisdom and highlights the unique, supernatural nature of their undertaking.
* **"neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money;"**: This specific list details the forbidden provisions. A "staff" (_rhábdos_) was a common walking stick or shepherd's rod; a "scrip" (_pḗra_) was a small leather bag for food; "bread" (_ártos_) was the staple food; and "money" (_argýrion_) was for purchasing necessities. The cumulative "neither...nor" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition, stripping them of all typical means of self-provision.
* **"neither have two coats apiece."**: This final prohibition restricts them to a single tunic (_chitṓn_). Having an extra coat was a common comfort or practical provision, especially for travel. By forbidding even this, Jesus reinforces the theme of extreme simplicity and complete reliance on God's immediate provision and the hospitality of others, rather than any personal reserve.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account in [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") employs several literary devices to convey Jesus' profound message. The most prominent is **Emphasis** through **Repetition** of the negative particle "neither" (_mḗte_). This repeated negation ("neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece") creates a powerful cumulative effect, underscoring the absolute and comprehensive nature of the command to divest themselves of all worldly provisions. This serves to highlight the radical nature of the disciples' mission and their required dependence. Furthermore, the specific items listed (staff, scrip, bread, money, two coats) function as **Symbolism**. These are not merely practical items but represent human self-sufficiency, foresight, and security. By forbidding them, Jesus symbolically strips the disciples of all reliance on their own resources, compelling them to embody complete trust in divine providence and the generosity of others. This also serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, as the literal application of taking absolutely *nothing* for a journey would be extreme, thus drawing attention to the spiritual principle of radical dependence rather than merely practical travel advice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The instructions in [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") are a profound theological statement on the nature of God's Kingdom and the radical commitment required of its heralds. They underscore that the mission of proclaiming the Gospel is not to be undertaken with human resources or self-reliance, but with absolute trust in divine provision and power. This command forces the disciples into a posture of complete dependence, teaching them firsthand that God is faithful to sustain those who are fully devoted to His purposes. It challenges the common human tendency to hoard, to rely on personal security, and to prioritize comfort over calling, instead calling for a single-minded focus on the spiritual task at hand. This principle of radical trust in God's provision for His work is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God equips and sustains those He sends.

* [Matthew 6:25-33](/matthew/6-25-33 "Matthew 6:25-33 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") presents a challenging and counter-cultural call for believers today. While not a literal command to abandon all preparation for every journey, it serves as a powerful spiritual principle: our effectiveness in God's work is not contingent on our accumulated resources, but on our radical dependence on Him. It compels us to examine where our true security lies—is it in our savings, our possessions, our plans, or in the unfailing providence of God? This passage invites us to cultivate a posture of humility and trust, recognizing that when we step out in faith for the Kingdom, God Himself becomes our ultimate provider and protector. It encourages us to simplify our lives, to shed the unnecessary burdens of materialism, and to maintain a single-minded focus on the mission of sharing the good news, confident that as we prioritize His Kingdom, all our legitimate needs will be met.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "staves," "scrip," or "extra coats" might I be relying on more than God in my life or ministry?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more radical dependence on God's provision in my daily walk and service?**
* **In what ways might my pursuit of material security or comfort hinder my ability to fully engage in God's mission?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of "self-sufficiency" versus "God-sufficiency"?**

### FAQ
**Were these instructions for all disciples at all times, or specific to this mission?**

Answer: These instructions were specific to the immediate, short-term missionary journey of the Twelve Apostles as commissioned by Jesus in [Luke 9:1-2](/luke/9-1-2 "Luke 9:1-2 - Jesus Commissions the Twelve"). This is evident from Jesus' later instructions in [Luke 22:35-36](/luke/22-35-36 "Luke 22:35-36 - Jesus' Later Instructions on Provisions"), where He asks if they lacked anything during that initial mission (to which they replied "Nothing") and then tells them that going forward, they *should* take a money bag, a scrip, and even sell a cloak to buy a sword. This shift indicates that the radical divestment in [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") was a unique, pedagogical exercise for a particular phase of ministry, designed to teach them absolute reliance on God and the hospitality of others during a time of relative peace and direct divine oversight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Instructions for the Journey") directly concerns the disciples' immediate mission, its deeper Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the radical dependence and self-emptying demonstrated by Jesus Himself. Christ, though "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ Became Poor for Our Sake")), embodying the ultimate example of divesting Himself of heavenly glory and earthly comforts to accomplish His Father's mission. He had "nowhere to lay his head" ([Luke 9:58](/luke/9-58 "Luke 9:58 - The Cost of Following Jesus")), living a life of utter dependence on the Father's provision and will, perfectly fulfilling the spirit of these instructions. The disciples' journey, stripped of material security, foreshadows the path of the Suffering Servant who relied entirely on God to complete His redemptive work on the cross. Their mission, empowered by Christ and sustained by the Father, points to the greater mission of the Church, which, through the power of the Holy Spirit, continues to proclaim the Kingdom of God, relying not on human strength or resources, but on the unfailing provision and authority of the risen Christ, who promises to be with His disciples "always, to the very end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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: