Mark 6:8
He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus deliberately strips the disciples of all provisions, urging them to rely completely on God's provision and the hospitality of those they encounter. This instruction isn't about hardship for its own sake, but about making them unburdened and free to focus entirely on their divine mission.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. He instructs them to travel light, taking only a staff and relying entirely on God's provision for their journey and sustenance, emphasizing a message of repentance and healing. This radical approach highlights the urgency and dependence of their mission.
Imagine stepping out with nothing but the clothes on your back and a single staff. Jesus’ instructions to His disciples were radical, demanding a profound trust in God’s care.
Jesus commanded His disciples to take "nothing for their journey, save a staff only—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts." This wasn't about being unprepared; it was a deliberate strategy to cultivate absolute dependence on God.
While most provisions were forbidden, the disciples were allowed one item: a staff. What makes this single item so significant?
The allowance of a staff, while forbidding other items, carried specific meaning.
Understand the original words
parangellō · Greek Verb
An instruction, command, or solemn order given by an authority figure. It implies a sense of urgency and non-negotiable obedience.
This instruction wasn't a permanent rule for all disciples, but a specific command for this temporary mission, emphasizing complete reliance on God and the hospitality of those they would minister to.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus begins His public ministry
Jesus commences His public teaching, gathering disciples and performing miracles throughout Galilee and surrounding regions.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus commissions the Twelve Apostles
Jesus formally appoints and sends out His twelve closest disciples on a special mission to preach and heal. This specific instruction about taking nothing for their journey is given at this time.
c. AD 27-30
The Twelve Apostles preach and heal
The disciples travel in pairs throughout Judea, proclaiming repentance and demonstrating Jesus' authority over sickness and demonic forces.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' ministry intensifies and faces opposition
As Jesus' fame grows, so does the opposition from religious leaders, leading to His eventual arrest and crucifixion.
This passage in Matthew directly parallels Mark's instructions, providing a fuller account of the disciples' limited provisions and the reasons behind it, emphasizing reliance on God's provision.
Luke 9:3Luke's Gospel also records Jesus' instructions to the disciples for their mission, reinforcing the theme of traveling light and trusting in divine care.
1 Kings 17:8-16This Old Testament account shows the prophet Elijah being sent to a widow in Zarephath with instructions to take nothing, illustrating a similar principle of radical dependence on God's provision through unexpected means.
2 Kings 4:1-7Similar to the Elijah narrative, this story of Elisha and the widow of Zarephath highlights God's supernatural provision when His people step out in faith with nothing, mirroring the disciples' commissioned journey.
pooleMark 6:8: "And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:"
See Poole on "Mark 6:7"
barnesMark 6:8: "And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:"
See these verses fully explained in the notes at Matthew 10:9-15 . In Matthew 10:5 they were commanded not to go among the Gentiles or Samaritans. Mark omits that direction, perhaps, because he was writing for the "Gentiles," and the direction might create unnecessary difficulty or offence. Perhaps he omits it also because the command was given for a te…
Jesus deliberately strips the disciples of all provisions, urging them to rely completely on God's provision and the hospitality of those they encounter. This instruction isn't about hardship for its own sake, but about making them unburdened and free to focus entirely on their divine mission.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. He instructs them to travel light, taking only a staff and relying entirely on God's provision for their journey and sustenance, emphasizing a message of repentance and healing. This radical approach highlights the urgency and dependence of their mission.
Jesus sends out the twelve disciples in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. He instructs them to travel light, taking only a staff and relying entirely on God's provision for their journey and sustenance, emphasizing a message of repentance and healing. This radical approach highlights the urgency and dependence of their mission.
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Was Jesus setting a permanent rule for all His followers, or was this a specific directive for a particular mission?
The context of this instruction is crucial. Jesus wasn't establishing a universal rule for all Christian missions that would last through the ages.
"He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—" — Jesus deliberately strips the disciples of all provisions, urging them to rely completely on God's provision and the hospitality of those they encounter. This instruction isn't about hardship for its…
