βαλλάντιον (ballantion)
ballantion
purse
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun balantion refers to a small bag or purse used for carrying coins and personal valuables. In the New Testament, it appears only four times, all within the Gospel of Luke. The word likely derives from a root meaning "to throw" or "deposit," suggesting its function as a container where items are placed for safekeeping.
Luke uses this term to highlight practical concerns about travel and financial security. Jesus instructs his disciples not to take a balantion on their missionary journeys (Luke 10:4), emphasizing total reliance on God’s provision. Later, he contrasts the ease of selling possessions to give alms with the burden of carrying such bags (Luke 12:33). In Luke 22:35-36, Jesus shifts the tone, telling his followers they will soon need a sword and a balantion, signaling a change in their circumstances from protected ministry to dangerous opposition.
Translators typically render balantion as "purse" or "money bag." The word underscores the tangible nature of daily life and the risks faced by those traveling in the ancient world. Its limited usage in Luke draws attention to the specific historical context of Jesus’ teachings on resource management and trust.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word balantion refers to the small leather pouch or money bag that travelers in the first century carried to hold coins and keep their valuables safe. In the Gospels, it appears only in Luke, where Jesus uses this everyday object to teach about trust and preparation. When He told His disciples not to carry one on their mission trips, He was inviting them to rely completely on God’s provision rather than their own savings.
Later, Jesus contrasted these physical bags with a spiritual treasure that never fades or gets stolen. This shift reminds us that while managing our resources is practical, our ultimate security lies in what we store up in heaven. Even when circumstances change and protection seems distant, the call remains to keep our hearts fixed on eternal realities rather than temporary possessions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- purse2×
- purses1×
- a purse1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βαλλάντιον2×
- βαλλάντια1×
- βαλλαντίου1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 10:4
Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
Jesus explicitly forbids carrying a purse here to emphasize total dependence on God’s provision during their initial missionary journey.
-
Luke 12:33
Sell what you have and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
The word is used metaphorically to contrast perishable money bags with an eternal treasure in heaven that thieves cannot reach.
-
Luke 22:35
He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
Jesus recalls the earlier instruction to carry no purse, confirming that their previous mission was sustained by God without personal funds.
-
Luke 22:36
Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
The tone shifts as Jesus instructs them to now take a purse, signaling a new era of opposition and the need for practical self-reliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word balantion mean?
Why did Jesus tell His disciples not to carry a purse?
How is balantion different from other words for bag?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Luke 4 verses
Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
Luke 12:33Sell what you have and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the…
Luke 22:35He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
Luke 22:36Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him…