### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word πήρα (pḗra, `{{G4082}}`) refers to a "wallet" or "leather pouch" primarily used for carrying food or provisions. It describes a simple, often crude, bag carried by travelers, shepherds, or beggars for their daily sustenance. Unlike a money bag (`{{G905}}`, balantion), the πήρα was specifically for food, indicating its utilitarian purpose for basic needs during a journey. Its etymology is noted as "of uncertain affinity," suggesting it was a common, perhaps ancient, term for such a practical item. The concept embedded within πήρα speaks to the necessities of life on the road and, by extension, a lifestyle of simplicity or even destitution.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πήρα appears five times in the New Testament, exclusively within the Synoptic Gospels, always in the context of Jesus's instructions to His disciples regarding their missionary journeys:
* **Initial Missionary Instructions:**
* [[Matthew 10:10]]: Jesus instructs the twelve disciples, "nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the worker is worthy of his food." Here, the "bag" is πήρα.
* [[Mark 6:8]]: When sending out the twelve, Jesus "charged them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts." The "bag" is πήρα.
* [[Luke 9:3]]: Jesus gives similar instructions to the twelve, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, no bag, no bread, no money; and do not have two tunics." The "bag" is πήρα.
* [[Luke 10:4]]: When sending out the seventy-two, Jesus commands, "Carry no money bag, no scrip, no sandals; and greet no one on the road." Here, πήρα is explicitly distinguished from a money bag (`{{G905}}`).
In these initial commands, the prohibition against taking a πήρα (along with money, extra tunics, and sometimes a staff or sandals) underscores a radical dependence on God's provision and the hospitality of those to whom they ministered. It symbolized a missionary ethos of urgency, detachment from worldly concerns, and complete reliance on divine sustenance. The disciples were to travel light, signifying that the Kingdom message was paramount and their needs would be met through the very mission they undertook.
* **Later Instruction at the Last Supper:**
* [[Luke 22:35-36]]: Jesus asks His disciples, "When I sent you out without money bag, scrip, or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." He said to them, "But now, let the one who has a money bag take it, and likewise a scrip. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one."
This passage marks a significant shift. Jesus acknowledges that the previous phase of ministry, characterized by immediate and miraculous provision, is concluding. The impending crucifixion and subsequent period of intense opposition and hardship would necessitate practical preparations. The command to now take a πήρα (and a money bag) is not a retraction of the principle of faith, but an adaptation to changing circumstances. It signifies a transition from a time of unhindered proclamation and divine provision to a period where the disciples would face greater hostility and less immediate support, requiring a degree of self-reliance and prudence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of πήρα is closely tied to several other biblical terms and theological ideas:
* **`{{G905}}` (balantion):** This Greek word for "money bag" is often contrasted with πήρα (e.g., [[Luke 10:4]], [[Luke 22:35-36]]). This distinction highlights that πήρα was specifically for food provisions, not wealth.
* **`{{G4464}}` (rhabdos):** "Staff," often mentioned alongside πήρα in the instructions regarding what to take or not to take on a journey.
* **`{{G4547}}` (sandalion):** "Sandals," another item frequently listed with πήρα, symbolizing basic travel necessities.
* **`{{G5509}}` (chitōn):** "Tunic" or "cloak," extra clothing also prohibited in the initial commands.
* **Provisions/Sustenance:** The very purpose of the πήρα connects it directly to the concept of daily needs and God's provision for them.
* **Hospitality:** The initial prohibition of the πήρα implicitly relied on the hospitality of others for the disciples' sustenance.
* **Dependence on God:** The core theological concept underscored by the initial command to travel without a πήρα.
* **Urgency of Mission:** Traveling light, without encumbrances like a πήρα, emphasized the immediate and overriding priority of proclaiming the Kingdom.
### Theological Significance
The πήρα holds profound theological significance, particularly in its presence and absence within Jesus's instructions:
* **Radical Dependence and Faith:** The initial command to go without a πήρα epitomizes the principle of radical dependence on God. It was a tangible demonstration of faith, trusting that God would provide for His messengers through the generosity of those who received their message. This practice underscored the spiritual nature of their mission, prioritizing God's power over human resources. It taught the disciples—and subsequent generations—that true security lies in divine providence, not material accumulation.
* **Missionary Ethos:** The absence of the πήρα established a foundational ethos for early Christian mission: simplicity, vulnerability, and an unencumbered focus on the message of the Kingdom. It conveyed that the disciples were not peddlers or opportunists, but heralds of a new spiritual reality, reliant solely on the power of God and the receptivity of hearts.
* **Adaptation to Changing Realities:** The later instruction in [[Luke 22:35-36]] to *take* a πήρα is crucial. It is not a theological reversal but a practical adaptation to a new, more challenging phase of ministry following Jesus's impending crucifixion. This shift acknowledges that while faith in God's ultimate provision remains, the immediate circumstances would demand prudence and preparation. It teaches that divine guidance can lead to different practical applications depending on the context, balancing absolute trust with responsible stewardship in a fallen world.
* **Symbol of the Kingdom's Progress:** The changing instructions regarding the πήρα symbolically represent the progression of the Kingdom's mission. Initially, in a time of intense, immediate divine presence, miraculous provision was the norm. As the mission expanded beyond Jesus's earthly ministry into a hostile world, the disciples would need to navigate challenges with both faith and practical wisdom, preparing for the long journey ahead.
### Summary
The Greek word πήρα (pḗra, `{{G4082}}`) denotes a "wallet or leather pouch for food," a simple bag for provisions carried by travelers. Its biblical occurrences are exclusively found in the Synoptic Gospels, where it serves as a powerful symbol in Jesus's instructions to His disciples. Initially, Jesus commanded His disciples *not* to take a πήρα ([[Matthew 10:10]], [[Mark 6:8]], [[Luke 9:3]], [[Luke 10:4]]). This prohibition underscored a radical dependence on God's immediate provision, the urgency of the Kingdom message, and a missionary ethos of simplicity and vulnerability. It signified that their needs would be met through divine grace and the hospitality of those who received them. However, in a pivotal moment before His crucifixion, Jesus instructed them to *take* a πήρα ([[Luke 22:35-36]]), marking a significant shift. This was not a retraction of faith but an adaptation to changing circumstances, acknowledging the coming period of increased opposition and the need for practical preparation. Thus, the πήρα encapsulates themes of absolute reliance on God, the dynamic nature of ministry, and the balance between unwavering faith and practical wisdom in navigating the challenges of the world. It is distinct from a money bag (`{{G905}}`), specifically designating a container for sustenance.
TRV