Luke 9:3 · Bible study
Luke 9:3 Commentary: The Meaning of 'Take Nothing'
Greek · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Luke 9:3 commands radical trust. This study examines Jesus' instructions to the Twelve, the language of simplicity, and harmonization with Mark 6:8.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The command to travel without provision underscores radical trust in God and the hospitality of the community.
- Key words: αἴρω (take up, lift), ῥάβδος (staff), πήρα (bag), ἀργύριον (money/silver), χιτών (tunic), ἀνά (each/apiece).
- Main debate: Whether this command is normative for all missionaries, and how to harmonize with Mark 6:8 allowing a staff.
- Theological theme: Divine provision, faith, simplicity, and the urgency of the Kingdom mission.
- Best use: Preaching on trust, missionary training, or studying the training of the Twelve.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
“Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two tunics each.
KJV King James Version 1769
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And he said unto them, `Take nothing for the way, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats each;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And he said to them: Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y les|strong="G4314, G0846" dice: No toméis nada para el camino, ni báculo, ni alforja, ni pan, ni dinero; ni tengáis dos vestidos cada uno.
E disse-lhes: “Não tomeis nada convosco para o caminho: nem vara, nem bolsa, nem pão, nem dinheiro, nem tenhais duas túnicas cada um.
Ne prenez rien pour le voyage, leur dit-il, ni bâton, ni sac, ni pain, ni argent, et n’ ayez pas deux tuniques.
Und sprach zu ihnen: Ihr sollt nichts mit euch nehmen auf den Weg, weder Stab noch Tasche noch Brot noch Geld; es soll auch einer nicht zwei Röcke haben.
En Hij zeide tot hen: Neemt niets mede tot den weg, noch staven, noch male, noch brood, noch geld; noch iemand van u zal twee rokken hebben.
E disse loro: Non prendete nulla per viaggio: né bastone, né sacca, né pane, né danaro, e non abbiate tunica di ricambio.
Tedy rzekł do nich: Nie bierzcie nic na drogę, ani laski, ani taistry, ani chleba, ani pieniędzy, ani dwóch sukien miejcie.
И сказал им: ничего не берите на дорогу: ни посоха, ни сумы, ни хлеба, ни серебра, и не имейте по две одежды;
對 他們 說：「 行路的時候，不要 帶 柺杖 和 口袋，不要 帶食物 和 銀子，也不要 帶 兩件 褂子。
And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, no stick or bag or bread or money, and do not take two coats.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 9:3
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jesus commanded the Twelve to travel with minimal possessions to demonstrate radical dependence on God and the hospitality of their hearers. The Greek verb αἴρετε (airete), as Vincent notes, means “lift, with a view of carrying away”, the disciples were not to pick up supplies for the road. The list, no staff, bag, bread, money, or second tunic, strips away every form of provision. The Cambridge Bible points out that the better manuscripts read ῥάβδον (staff, singular), which Matthew Henry and Gill use to harmonize with Mark 6:8 where Jesus allows a staff. The difference likely turns on the kind of staff: the prohibition may target a traveler’s club or multiple staves for defense, while a simple walking stick was permitted. The core instruction is clear: go in faith, trust the Lord to supply through others, and do not let possessions slow you down. This was a short-term mission of the Twelve, not a permanent rule for all ministry, but the principle of trusting God remains.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal, time-bound command: The context of the immediate Galilean mission (Luke 9:1-6) and the disciples' return (Luke 9:10) suggests a specific short-term instruction.
- Normative principle for ministry: Many missionary movements have read this as a model for all evangelistic work, emphasizing faith and simplicity (supported by Luke 10:4 for the Seventy).
- Relative interpretation (harmonization): The difference with Mark 6:8 allows for a basic staff but forbids multiple or defensive staves; the core is that one must not rely on material security.
What is clear: Jesus explicitly commanded the Twelve not to take extra provisions for this journey, emphasizing radical dependence on God and the hospitality of those who received them.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Staff prohibition | Jesus wanted the disciples to travel without unnecessary baggage and to trust God. | Some argue that Luke forbids even a walking stick (following the plural reading 'staves'), while others harmonize with Mark 6:8 by noting that a single staff for support was allowed; the ban may target defensive or multiple staves. |
| Two coats (tunics) | The second tunic represents a spare garment; Jesus forbade carrying it on the journey. | Whether this also forbids owning extra clothing at home or only packing for the trip. The context suggests it is a travel instruction, not a permanent vow of poverty. |
| Application to modern missions | The principle of dependence on God and reliance on Christian hospitality remains valuable. | Some traditions apply the specifics literally (no salary, no equipment), while others see it as a model for short-term teams, not a permanent rule for all funded ministries. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jesus gave this instruction at a specific moment in his Galilean ministry. He had just called the Twelve together and granted them “power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1). The mission was urgent: they were to “preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick” (v.2). In first-century Palestine, travelers on short journeys often carried a staff for support, a bag (πήρα) for provisions, bread, and money. A second tunic (χιτών, the basic undergarment) was a spare that a poorer person would rarely own. The Cambridge Bible notes that “having two coats is a rare luxury among poor Orientals.” By forbidding these items, Jesus forced the Twelve to depend entirely on the hospitality of those who received their message.
Jewish hospitality was a strong cultural value. The instruction to stay in one house (v.4) prevented the disciples from seeking better accommodations. The command to “shake off the dust from your feet” (v.5) was a symbolic act of judgment, showing that the disciples were not responsible for rejection. The mission was also a test for the disciples themselves: could they trust God’s provision? The parallels in Matthew and Mark show slight variations. Matthew 10:9 says “Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.” Mark 6:8 allows a staff but forbids bread, wallet, and money. These differences likely reflect the same oral teaching transmitted with different emphases, not contradictions. The overarching point remains: go simply, go quickly, and trust God.
Textual Notes
The main textual variant in Luke 9:3 is the number of the word for “staff.” Many manuscripts read ῥάβδον (singular, “a staff”), while others have ῥάβδους (plural, “staves”). The Cambridge Bible and Gill note that the singular is attested by uncials N, A, B, and is likely original. The plural may have arisen from copyists harmonizing with Matthew 10:10. No other significant variants appear in the supplied sources. The difference affects the harmonization with Mark 6:8, which permits a staff.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Luke 9:3 has been cited as a call to simplicity and faith for those engaged in ministry. Monastic movements in both Eastern and Western traditions saw it as a mandate for apostolic poverty, inspiring communities that owned nothing individually. During the Reformation, commentators like Matthew Henry and John Gill used the passage to emphasize trust in God’s provision rather than human preparation. In modern missionary practice, the verse is often invoked for short-term teams, challenging them to rely on local hospitality. Though the literal prohibitions are not universally applied, the spirit of dependence has shaped how Christians think about sending and supporting workers for the Kingdom.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The call to simplicity, Jesus strips away every extra: no staff, bag, bread, money, or spare tunic. The command is concrete, forcing disciples to re-examine what they carry.
- The call to dependence, With no supplies, the Twelve must rely on the hospitality of those who receive them. Trust in God’s provision through others is the heart of the mission.
- The call to urgency, This is a short-term, rapid mission. Extra baggage slows a messenger. The Kingdom is at hand; move light and move fast.
Five-point outline
- Jesus empowers before he sends (Luke 9:1-2). The authority for the mission comes from Christ, not from the disciples’ resources.
- The prohibitions teach radical trust (v.3). Each forbidden item, staff, bag, bread, money, second tunic, represents a security the disciples must forgo.
- Hospitality is the means of support (v.4). Staying in one house honors the host and prevents the disciples from seeking comfort.
- Rejection is not the disciple’s failure (v.5). Shaking off the dust transfers judgment; the messenger’s job is to deliver the message, not control the response.
- The mission succeeds through obedience (v.6). The Twelve depart, preach, and heal, the power is in their going, not in their preparations.
Illustration hooks
- Packing for a weekend trip and realizing you brought three bags of “just in case” items. What would it feel like to carry nothing but the clothes you wear?
- Relying on a stranger’s help when your phone dies and you have no cash. That vulnerability is the exact posture Jesus wanted for his disciples.
- A fire drill or evacuation where you grab only essentials. The urgency of the Kingdom mission is like that: no time for extras.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Is this command for us today? The specific prohibitions seem tied to that first mission, but the principle of trusting God for provision applies to every believer called to serve.
- How do we balance preparation with trust? Preparing wisely is not the same as stockpiling. This passage calls us to examine where we put our real security.
- What “extra tunics” do we carry? What possessions, habits, or comforts slow us down from responding to God’s call?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Jesus training the Twelve for a mission that required total dependence on God and the hospitality of the people they visited. As you discuss, think about how this applies to your own walk with Christ, not as a legal rule, but as an invitation to trust more fully.
Discussion questions
- What items does Jesus forbid? List each one and consider what they represent (sustenance, protection, currency, comfort).
- Why do you think Jesus commanded them to take nothing? What did he want the disciples, and their hearers, to learn?
- How does the context of power and authority in verses 1-2 shape the meaning of verse 3? Would the command mean something different without that empowerment?
- Look at the parallel accounts: Matthew 10:9-10 and Mark 6:8-9. What differences do you notice? How might these be complementary rather than contradictory?
- What does the instruction about staying in one house (v.4) and shaking off dust (v.5) teach about the disciples’ relationship with those who receive or reject them?
- In what ways do you rely on “bags, bread, and money” instead of trusting God? What would it look like for you to travel lighter in your faith?
- How can this passage shape the way your church supports missionaries or sends out teams? Should everything be provided in advance, or is there room for vulnerability and dependence?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 37:3 | Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture. |
| Matthew 10:9 | Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. |
| Matthew 10:14 | Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. |
| Mark 6:8 | He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, |
| Mark 6:11 | Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” |
| Luke 3:11 | He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.” |
| Luke 5:29 | Levi made a great feast for him in his house. There was a great crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them. |
| Luke 10:4 | Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke emphasizes that the disciples' instructions to take nothing, no money or extra coat, serve a specific purpose: to visibly demonstrate that they are ambassadors for God, traveling on His provision and authority. Their lack of supplies itself marks them as wholly dependent on the One who sent them.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
See the notes at Mat 10:1-14 . See the notes at Mat 10:1-14 .
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary addresses the apparent discrepancies between the Gospel accounts of Christ's instructions. It suggests the command not to procure a staff may have been about not obtaining one specially, or that an Aramaic phrase allowed carrying one already owned. The core point is that the Twelve were to go forth in the simplest, humblest manner with perfect faith.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And he sayd to them, Take nothing to your iourney, neither staues, nor scrip, neither bread, nor siluer, neither haue two coates apiece.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the precise wording of Jesus' command, noting that Luke forbids carrying staves (plural) while Mark permits one staff, showing the prohibition targets excess, not a single walking stick. He also clarifies that "have two coats apiece" means each disciple individually may not carry a spare, not that the group together cannot have two.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues the Twelve were sent not as beginners on a practice mission, but as reapers where Jesus had already sown. This journey was a final attempt to reach the impenitent cities of Galilee, using disciples to continue the work He had begun
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights that Christ sent the twelve disciples because he could only be in one place at a time. They were now sufficiently instructed to teach others, so he dispersed them to spread the gospel more widely and prepare people for the coming kingdom.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent draws attention to the literal Greek meaning behind "take" as lifting up to carry away. He also notes a textual variant for "staves," preferring "staff," and explains that "two coats" carries a distributive sense, indicating two apiece.