Luke 9:3 Meaning: Why Take Nothing for the Journey?
He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two tunics each.
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.
And he said unto them, `Take nothing for the way, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats each;
And he said to them, Take nothing for the way, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; nor to have two body-coats apiece.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus sent the Twelve with no provisions. Discover why He commanded this radical trust and how it speaks to your life today.
Context
By this point in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has been teaching and healing for some time. He has chosen twelve men as His closest companions. Now He gives them a mission. He calls them together, gives them power over demons and diseases, and sends them out to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. Then come the instructions for the journey. They are to take nothing: no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, not even a second tunic. The disciples were to depend entirely on the hospitality of those who received their message. This was a training exercise in radical trust, preparing them for the greater mission to come after Jesus’ resurrection. It is a moment that strips away every safety net so they could learn where true provision comes from.
Key Words
Two words stand out in this verse. The first is the Greek verb airete, translated “take.” It literally means to lift up and carry away. Jesus is not saying, “If you happen to have these things, don’t use them.” He is saying, “Don’t even pick them up. Don’t start carrying them.” The journey is meant to begin with empty hands. The second word is rhabdon, “staff.” In some old copies of Luke it is singular; in others plural. That little variation hints that the early church itself wondered whether a walking stick was allowed. The deeper point is not about counting sticks. It is about not depending on what you can carry. And then there is chitōnas, the tunics you wore next to your skin. A second tunic meant you expected to need a change of clothes. Jesus says, “Don’t pack for contingencies. Trust that what you need will be given along the way.”
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in two main ways. Some, like the Anglican Cambridge Bible, note the apparent difference with Mark 6:8, where Jesus allows a staff. They suggest Jesus told them not to specially procure these things for the journey, or that the original Aramaic could be read as “even if you have a staff it is unnecessary.” Others, like Baptist preacher John Gill, focus on the phrase “two coats apiece.” He says the prohibition was that each man should not have a change of raiment, teaching them to live simply and trust God’s provision through others. Matthew Henry, representing a Reformed perspective, sees it as training in dependence and a lesson for the people to support their ministers. All traditions agree that the heart of the command is trust, not a permanent rule about travel gear.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse and think, “Christians should never carry money or pack extra clothes when traveling for ministry.” In fact, this was a specific instruction for a short-term mission in Israel, not a permanent rule. The Cambridge note explains that the variation with Mark suggests it was about not specially procuring these things. The point was to teach the disciples dependence on God and the hospitality of those who received the gospel, not to ban suitcases forever.
Living This Out
This week you might be facing a step of obedience that requires trust. Maybe it is a financial decision, a move, or a new ministry. Jesus says, “Take nothing.” He does not mean you empty your bank account. He means you go without the security of having everything figured out. You trust the One who sends you to provide through the people He sends you to. Try this: identify one area where you are holding onto a “second tunic”, something you keep as a backup plan instead of trusting God. Surrender it. Ask God to show you His provision through His people this week.
Main takeaway: Jesus sends you with nothing but Himself, because His provision comes through the community He sends you to.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus told his friends not to pack a bag or bring money for their trip. He wanted them to trust that God would take care of them through the people they met. You can trust God to give you what you need too.
For ages 9, 12
When Jesus sent the disciples out, he told them to take nothing except themselves. No food, no money, no extra clothes. That seems scary, but Jesus wanted them to learn that God provides through other people. When you need something, God often uses someone around you to help. This week, look for a chance to be the person God uses to provide for someone else.
Questions People Ask
Why does Luke say “neither staves” but Mark says “except a staff only”?
The Cambridge Bible suggests the variation may be because Jesus told them not to specially procure these things for the journey. Or the original Aramaic phrase could be read as “even if you have a staff it is unnecessary.” Early copyists might have changed the plural to singular to harmonize with Mark. Either way, the main point is not to load up on supplies.
Did Jesus mean Christians should never carry money?
No. This instruction was for a specific short-term mission in Israel. Christians across traditions agree it is not a permanent rule. The purpose was to teach the disciples to depend on God through the hospitality of others, not to forbid money entirely.
What is a “scrip” or “wallet”?
It was a leather bag carried over the shoulder, used by travelers and shepherds to hold a few dates or other simple provisions. Jesus told them not to take even that small amount of stored food, so they would rely on what people offered them along the way.
Why no second tunic?
A second tunic was a luxury among the poor. It meant you expected to need a change of clothes. By forbidding it, Jesus taught radical simplicity and trust that hosts would provide for their needs. It also echoed John the Baptist’s call to share what you have (Luke 3:11).
Is this command still for today?
The specific prohibitions were for that mission, but the principle remains: go in dependence, not self-sufficiency. When you step out in obedience, trust that God will provide through His people. The spirit of the verse challenges our tendency to over-prepare and cling to security.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study