Luke 9:3

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

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus commands the twelve apostles to depart for a mission to proclaim the kingdom and heal the sick. He directs them to travel without provisions or extra clothing.

The words — μηδὲν (mēden) means "nothing" and αἴρετε (airete) translates to "do take" or "carry." Together they form a negative imperative prohibiting the apostles from bringing any supplies.

The thread — This command mirrors Jesus' instructions to the seventy-two in Luke 10:4 and is later recalled by Jesus in Luke 22:35. It aligns with the reliance on divine provision stated in Psalms 37:3.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to abandon self-reliance and depend entirely on God's provision during mission. It demands practical obedience to travel light and trust the host community for sustenance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Luke 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Luke 10:4 Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road.
Matthew 10:9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts.
Mark 6:8 He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
Luke 3:11 John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
Luke 12:22 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
2 Timothy 2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.
Luke 12:28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
Luke 5:29 Then Levi hosted a great banquet for Jesus at his house. A large crowd of tax collectors was there, along with others who were eating with them.