Matthew 10:9

Matthew 10:9 is part of Jesus' specific instructions to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first major missionary journey. This verse highlights a radical call to dependence on God for provision during their urgent mission.

Context

In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus commissions His twelve apostles, giving them authority over unclean spirits and to heal all manner of sickness and disease. Their immediate mission was to go to the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" and preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. The instructions in verse 9, along with subsequent verses, outline how they were to conduct themselves and what they were to expect regarding their material needs. This was a direct, short-term mission with specific parameters.

Key Themes

• Radical Trust and Dependence on God: Jesus instructs His disciples not to carry money (gold, silver, or brass coins) in their money-bags. This command forces them into complete reliance on God's provision through the hospitality of those they ministered to. It underscored that their mission was divine, and God would sustain them.
• Urgency of the Mission: By forbidding them to make extensive preparations, Jesus emphasized the immediate and urgent nature of their task. There was no time for gathering provisions; they were to go forth promptly.
• Simplicity and Focus: This directive promoted a detachment from material possessions, allowing the disciples to focus entirely on their spiritual message and ministry without the burden or distraction of worldly goods.
• The Worker is Worthy of His Hire: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the underlying principle, as seen in Matthew 10:10, is that those who receive the message should provide for the needs of the messengers. This was a common practice for itinerant teachers in that culture.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses" uses the Greek word ktao (κτάομαι) for "provide," which means "to acquire," "to get," or "to procure." This implies that they were not to go out and *obtain* these things for their journey, but rather to rely on immediate, spontaneous provision. The "purses" refers to balantion (βαλάντιον), a small money-bag or wallet.

Cross-References

• Similar instructions are found in parallel accounts in Mark 6:8 and Luke 9:3.
• It is important to note that this specific instruction was for a particular mission. Later, Jesus gives different instructions regarding provisions, as seen in Luke 22:35-36, where He asks if they lacked anything when He sent them without purse or scrip, and then tells them to take them. This indicates the contextual and temporary nature of the Matthew 10 command.

Practical Application

While believers today are not typically sent out under the exact same literal conditions, the principles behind Jesus' command remain highly relevant:

• Trust in God: We are called to trust God for our daily needs and to prioritize His kingdom above material security.
• Focus on the Mission: Our ultimate calling should be to serve God and spread His truth, unburdened by excessive attachment to worldly possessions.
• Willingness to Step Out in Faith: Sometimes, God calls us to steps of faith that require us to leave our comfort zones and trust Him for provision in unexpected ways. This verse encourages boldness in ministry, knowing that God sustains His workers.