And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only; no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse,
και παρηγγειλεν αυτοις ινα μηδεν αιρωσιν εις οδον ει μη ραβδον μονον μη πηραν μη αρτον μη εις την ζωνην χαλκον
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He instructed them not to carry anything, neither a wallet, nor funds in their belts, nor provisions, so that he could impart a lesson in generosity. This way, when others observed them, they might feel a sense of humility, recognizing that those who teach selflessness possess nothing themselves. Indeed, who would not feel encouraged to practice moderation upon witnessing the apostle travel without money or bread, which is essential for sustenance? See Luke 9:3
Are all instructed not to possess two coats, or food in their bags, or money in their wallets, but to carry only a staff and wear sandals? (Cf. Matt. 10:9.) Must everyone sell all they own, share with the needy, and follow Christ? This pertains particularly to those aspiring for perfection—precisely so. In the Gospel, the Lord addresses the man who claimed he would adhere to the entire law, saying, If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell thy possessions, and give to the poor, and come and follow me (Matt. 19:21).
True tranquility is found in desiring nothing more than what is essential: basic nourishment and clothing that will cover your body and restore your vitality. There is no need to seek beyond the provisions of nature. When embarking on a journey, carry no extra baggage (cf. Mt. 10:10; Lk. 9:3; Lk. 22:35), do not fret over additional garments, and do not be anxious about tomorrow or whether there will be sustenance (cf. Mt. 6:34): the daylight will come, and nourishment will be provided. Consider how the birds do not gather food in anticipation of tomorrow. To them, God provides (cf. Matt. 10:29).
It is from these individual and transient situations that we can understand why the Lord chose to reveal Himself to the public only to later conceal His presence. In certain instances, He commanded individuals to remain silent about His works, while openly proclaiming the healing of the woman afflicted with a flow of blood. When He crossed the Lake of Gennesaret and healed the one possessed by demons, He directed that His teachings about Himself be shared. All of this can be interpreted through the personal contexts and the individuals He interacted with. In every circumstance, He responded to the specific needs of the people. This experience undoubtedly served a valuable purpose for the apostles; it provided them with insights on how they should engage with those they would minister to.
The Lord recognized the importance of informing them about the responsibilities and challenges they would face in their service. He had adequately demonstrated how they should adapt to the inclinations of others to enhance their effectiveness. However, practical experience was even more beneficial for them. While they were not yet entirely suited for the apostolic mission, there remained much for them to learn. At this stage, their message could only extend to declaring that the kingdom of God was near, a proclamation echoed by both John and Jesus at the outset of their ministries. To support this teaching, the Lord granted them authority to heal ailments, serving as a powerful testament that the Savior had indeed arrived. We should recall that when disciples of John approached with inquiries, the Savior drew attention to His miraculous works. By empowering the apostles to perform miracles, the Lord instructed them to be unconcerned about travel preparations; they were to take no bag, no extra clothing, and no money. They would find all they needed from the people they would encounter in their ministry. There was no need for them to carry anything superfluous, as they were sent only to the towns of their fellow countrymen, and specifically to those places where He had yet to go. They were not to engage among Gentiles or Samaritans at this point. In commissioning them, the Lord provided guidance emphasizing that divine gifts were to be shared freely. Just as He utilized nothing for personal gain, He expected His disciples to follow suit. As God interacts without expectation of receiving anything in return, so too should they perform the work of the Almighty.
The message that the apostles were tasked with proclaiming is conveyed similarly by the evangelists. They all affirm that Christ empowered the apostles to heal various illnesses and to cast out afflictions. He bestowed upon them the ability to cure all forms of maladies and, importantly, to expel demons, granting them the grace of the Holy Spirit along with the spiritual gift of healing, as noted in 1 Corinthians 12:9. Additionally, the Gospel of Mark highlights that the apostles employed an outward symbolic action—anointing with oil—when ministering to the sick. Mark also adds that Christ sent them out in pairs (v. 7). However, the specific instructions that Christ gave to the apostles are detailed extensively by Matthew. In contrast, both Mark and Luke provide a more concise account of these directives, which can be found in Matthew 9-15, with further insights in Matthew 10:1-42.
In providing guidance to His Apostles, Jesus Christ anticipated that concerns over basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter might divert their focus from their mission. Therefore, He instructed them not to carry gold, silver, or bronze in their belts, nor to take a bag for the journey, additional garments, sandals, or a staff (Matthew 10:9-10). They were called to proclaim the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and to instruct their followers on how to enter this divine realm. Their work would demand significant effort and involve many trials for the good of their neighbors, and it is fitting that those who labor receive necessary provisions from those whom they serve: a laborer deserves his sustenance.
Prior to their departure, the Saviour provided guidance regarding their behavior and actions for their upcoming missionary journey. Their efforts were to be directed solely toward the lost sheep of the house of Israel, refraining from extending their outreach to the Samaritans and Gentiles. The central theme of their message would be the imminent arrival of the kingdom of heaven, bolstered by acts of miraculous healing and compassionate deeds. They were instructed to carry nothing with them—neither a bag for provisions, nor money in their belts, nor an extra set of clothing, nor shoes other than the customary palm bark sandals; they should not even take a walking stick unless they already possessed one. Their mission was to embody complete simplicity and rely entirely on the provisions found within their calling.
The instruction to carry no extra items serves to emphasize the idea that the disciples should focus not on earthly comforts such as clothing, footwear, or money. Instead, they are encouraged to fully submit themselves to God’s purpose.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 21 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS