Luke 9:3
And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus’ instruction to take "nothing" is not about being destitute, but about demonstrating absolute trust. By forbidding even a "staff," he emphasized that their provision would come directly from God through the hospitality of those they encountered, not from any personal preparedness.
Jesus is commissioning his twelve disciples for their first mission trip, sending them out to preach and heal throughout the surrounding towns. He instructs them to travel as lightly as possible, taking nothing for provisions or comfort, relying entirely on God's provision through the hospitality of those they encounter. This radical dependence on God is a foundational principle for their ministry, preparing them for a deeper faith as they move on to their next assignments.
Jesus tells his disciples to take nothing. No snacks, no extra cash, not even a spare shirt. How could they possibly survive?
Jesus isn't just telling them to pack light; He's calling them to a radical dependence on Him and His kingdom.
A Mission of Faith, Not Logistics
This isn't about being unprepared. It's about demonstrating that their mission and their sustenance come directly from God, not from their own resources or careful planning. By taking nothing, they are forced to rely on divine providence and the hospitality of those they minister to.
Trusting the 'Open Hospitality of the East'
The culture of the time in the East often involved a deep commitment to hospitality. Travelers were welcomed into homes and provided for. Jesus was activating this principle, but rooting it in God's direct provision through people, rather than the disciples' own preparations.
This command strips away any perceived security blanket, forcing them to trust that God will meet their needs through unexpected channels. It's a powerful statement about the nature of God's kingdom – it provides for its own.
Why forbid even a walking stick or an extra tunic? This instruction goes beyond mere practicality.
Jesus' commands about taking 'nothing' are deeply symbolic. They communicate both the humble nature of their mission and the urgent need for people to respond.
Shedding Earthly Hindrances
The lack of a staff, bag, or money, and the restriction to a single tunic, signify a shedding of worldly attachments and hindrances. It signals that their focus is entirely on the spiritual message, not on personal comfort or security. This simple living makes them approachable and less threatening, allowing the message to be the focus.
The Message of Imminent Kingdom Arrival
By traveling light, the disciples also implicitly communicate the urgency of the Gospel. They aren't setting up a long-term base or carrying provisions for an extended stay. This suggests that the kingdom of God is , and a response is needed . It's a message that says, 'We are on an urgent mission from God, and you need to receive this message without delay.'
This instruction wasn't just about being practical; it was a profound statement of absolute reliance on God's provision and the hospitality of those who would receive the message. It called for a radical faith, where the disciples' very vulnerability would be a powerful testimony.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus commissions the Twelve Apostles
Jesus sends out his twelve closest disciples on their first independent mission trip to preach the kingdom of God and perform miracles.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus commissions the Seventy-Two
Later, Jesus gives similar instructions to a larger group of seventy-two disciples for their missionary work, indicating a recurring pattern.
c. AD 30-33
The Apostles' Ministry
The twelve disciples travel throughout Galilee and surrounding regions, experiencing both success and rejection as they proclaim Jesus' message.
c. AD 30-33
Herod Antipas hears of Jesus
News of Jesus' powerful deeds reaches Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, who fears Jesus might be John the Baptist resurrected.
This passage directly parallels Luke 9:3, also instructing the disciples to take no money, no bag, no extra tunic, and initially even no staff, emphasizing a reliance on God's provision.
Mark 6:8Mark's account allows for 'a staff only,' offering a slight variation that highlights Jesus' flexibility and the core principle of minimal provision, rather than a rigid, universal rule.
1 Kings 17:10-14The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath shows a similar 'take nothing' principle, where Elijah is sent to a widow with only a little flour and oil, demonstrating God's miraculous provision when His servants step out in faith.
Micah 3:5This prophetic passage contrasts Jesus' instructions, condemning prophets who 'have their mouths, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him!' It underscores the disciples' mission of selfless service versus self-serving prophets.
1 Corinthians 9:7Paul reflects on the principle that 'who serves as a soldier at his own expense?' and that 'the one who threshes the grain should do so in the hope of his share.' This connects to Jesus' teaching that the laborer is worthy of his food, showing the ongoing principle of divine provision through human hospitality.
pulpitLuke 9:3: "And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece."
Verse 3. - Take nothing for your journey. Dr. Farrar well sums up the various directions of the Master to these his first missionaries: "The general spirit of the instructions merely is, 'Go forth in the simplest, humblest manner, with no hindrances to your movements, and in perfect faith;' and this, as history shows, has always been the metho…
ellicottLuke 9:3: "And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece."
(3) Neither staves. —The better MSS. give, “neither a staff.” The plural was probably adopted in order to bring the verse into harmony with Matthew 10:10 , and Mark 6:8 .
Jesus’ instruction to take "nothing" is not about being destitute, but about demonstrating absolute trust. By forbidding even a "staff," he emphasized that their provision would come directly from God through the hospitality of those they encountered, not from any personal preparedness.
Jesus is commissioning his twelve disciples for their first mission trip, sending them out to preach and heal throughout the surrounding towns. He instructs them to travel as lightly as possible, taking nothing for provisions or comfort, relying entirely on God's provision through the hospitality of those they encounter. This radical dependence on God is a foundational principle for their ministry, preparing them for a deeper faith as they move on to their next assignments.
Jesus is commissioning his twelve disciples for their first mission trip, sending them out to preach and heal throughout the surrounding towns. He instructs them to travel as lightly as possible, taking nothing for provisions or comfort, relying entirely on God's provision through the hospitality of those they encounter. This radical dependence on God is a foundational principle for their ministry, preparing them for a deeper faith as they move on to their next assignments.
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Avoiding Distraction, Embracing Simplicity
Having only one tunic and no extra money or supplies means the disciples are less likely to be distracted by the concerns of this world. Their entire being is consecrated to the mission. This simplicity underscores the all-sufficiency of God's kingdom, which doesn't rely on worldly resources.
"And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics." — Jesus’ instruction to take "nothing" is not about being destitute, but about demonstrating absolute trust. By forbidding even a "staff," he emphasized that their provision would come directly from Go…
