Mark 6:8

He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the Twelve immediately after commissioning them two by two to exercise authority over unclean spirits. He issues a direct command regarding their travel provisions.

The words — παρήγγειλεν (parēngeilen) means "He instructed," and μηδὲν (mēden) means "nothing." These terms anchor the verse in a strict prohibition against carrying provisions for the journey.

The thread — The instruction to carry no provisions for travel appears in Luke 9:3 and Luke 10:4, while Matthew 10:9 parallels the restriction on currency. All four passages record Jesus directing messengers to travel without standard supplies.

Why it lands — The text demands complete reliance on hospitality and divine provision rather than personal stockpiling. A reader must choose between self-sufficiency and radical dependence during active service.

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

Cross-references

Luke 9:3 “Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic.
Matthew 10:9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts.
Luke 10:4 Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road.
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.