Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just telling them to travel light; He's radically disconnecting them from their usual routines and social norms. This command to "greet no one on the road" was a direct challenge to the lengthy, elaborate greetings of the day, highlighting the urgent, singular focus required for their mission.
Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is sending out seventy disciples on a mission, commissioning them to go ahead of Him into towns He plans to visit. He's equipping them for this urgent task with radical instructions: travel light with no provisions or extra gear, and move with such speed and focus that you don't get sidetracked by lengthy Eastern greetings. This is a call to a swift, single-minded proclamation of God's kingdom, prioritizing the urgency of the message over common courtesies.
Imagine being sent on a critical mission with absolutely nothing but the clothes on your back. Jesus' instructions to his disciples were stark: no money, no extra food, no change of clothes. What does this teach us about reliance?
Stripped Down for Service
Jesus' command for the disciples to "carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes" was a radical call to immediate and complete dependence on God.
This wasn't about poverty for its own sake, but about demonstrating that God's kingdom operates on a different economy – one where trust and obedience unlock divine provision.
Jesus told his disciples not even to greet people on the road! This sounds incredibly rude, right? But what was the urgent purpose behind such a drastic command?
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The Mission Above All Else
The command to "greet no one on the road" was not about discourtesy, but about the profound urgency of the mission Jesus had given them.
This instruction was a powerful lesson in prioritizing the divine assignment above all else, understanding that some moments call for an undivided heart and an unhindered path.
Jesus' instructions to the seventy disciples echo Old Testament precedents and Jewish traditions, highlighting the urgency and sacred nature of their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
c. 8th Century BC
Elisha's Mission
The prophet Elisha instructs his servant Gehazi to go quickly to the Shunammite woman without stopping to greet anyone, emphasizing the urgency of his task.
c. 5th Century BC
Jewish Tradition on Sacred Duties
A Jewish tradition emerges that exempts individuals engaged in sacred work from certain civil obligations, prioritizing divine duties over social courtesies.
c. 4th Century BC
The Sanhedrin Council
The Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, is established with seventy members, mirroring the Old Testament number of elders appointed to assist Moses.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Ministry of the Seventy
Jesus appoints and sends out seventy additional disciples, mirroring the Sanhedrin and Old Testament elders, to prepare towns for his arrival.
This passage provides a parallel command for the twelve apostles, emphasizing the need to rely entirely on God's provision and not carry worldly comforts or resources for their mission.
2 Kings 4:29This Old Testament account shows Elisha giving a similar instruction to his servant Gehazi to not be delayed by greetings, highlighting the urgency and singular focus required for important spiritual tasks.
Philippians 4:11-12This passage speaks to Paul's contentment in all circumstances, both having abundance and facing need, which resonates with the disciples' call to trust in divine provision rather than self-sufficiency.
1 Corinthians 9:7This verse discusses the right of gospel workers to be supported by their ministry, aligning with the principle that the disciples sent out were to be provided for by those they served, reinforcing their dependence on God and community.
1 Thessalonians 5:17This verse commands believers to pray without ceasing, echoing the spirit of undivided attention and constant readiness that Jesus instilled in His disciples by prohibiting them from engaging in time-consuming social customs.
vincentLuke 10:4: "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way."
Purse (βαλλάντιον)Used by Luke only. For money.Scrip (πήραν)For victuals. Rev., wallet.ShoesNot that they were to go unshod, but that they were not to carry a change of sandals. See Deuteronomy 29:5; Deuteronomy 33:25.Salute no manOriental salutations are tedious and complicated. The command is suited to a rapid and temporary mission. Compare 2 Kings 4:29. "These instructions were also intended to reprove an…
wesleyLuke 10:4: "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way."
10:4 Salute no man by the way - The salutations usual among the Jews took up much time. But these had so much work to do in so short a space, that they had not a moment to spare.
Jesus isn't just telling them to travel light; He's radically disconnecting them from their usual routines and social norms. This command to "greet no one on the road" was a direct challenge to the lengthy, elaborate greetings of the day, highlighting the urgent, singular focus required for their mission.
Jesus is sending out seventy disciples on a mission, commissioning them to go ahead of Him into towns He plans to visit. He's equipping them for this urgent task with radical instructions: travel light with no provisions or extra gear, and move with such speed and focus that you don't get sidetracked by lengthy Eastern greetings. This is a call to a swift, single-minded proclamation of God's kingdom, prioritizing the urgency of the message over common courtesies.
Jesus is sending out seventy disciples on a mission, commissioning them to go ahead of Him into towns He plans to visit. He's equipping them for this urgent task with radical instructions: travel light with no provisions or extra gear, and move with such speed and focus that you don't get sidetracked by lengthy Eastern greetings. This is a call to a swift, single-minded proclamation of God's kingdom, prioritizing the urgency of the message over common courtesies.
"Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road." — Jesus isn't just telling them to travel light; He's radically disconnecting them from their usual routines and social norms. This command to "greet no one on the road" was a direct challenge to the l…
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Last reviewed October 2026