Luke 9:3 kjv

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Luke 9:3 nkjv

And He said to them, "Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.

Luke 9:3 niv

He told them: "Take nothing for the journey?no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.

Luke 9:3 esv

And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.

Luke 9:3 nlt

"Take nothing for your journey," he instructed them. "Don't take a walking stick, a traveler's bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 3 Meaning

Luke 9:3 is a direct instruction from Jesus to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on a missionary journey. It commands them to take absolutely no provisions for their trip – no staffs, bags, bread, or money, and only the single tunic they are wearing. This mandate emphasizes total dependence on God's provision through the hospitality of others, highlights the urgency and singular focus of their mission, and removes any material hindrance to their divine task. It underscores a radical trust in God's care and the priority of the Kingdom message over personal comfort or worldly resources.

Luke 9 3 Context

Luke 9:3 initiates Jesus' sending out of the twelve apostles on their first official mission. Prior to this, Jesus had been performing miracles, teaching His disciples, and publicly proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The immediate preceding verses (Lk 9:1-2) describe Jesus giving them "power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases," and then commissioning them to "proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." The specific instructions in verse 3, and continuing to verse 5, dictate how they are to carry out this mission. This command reflects the itinerant nature of Jesus' own ministry and the urgency of the message. Historically, it contrasts with typical travelers, who would always carry provisions, and possibly with Cynic philosophers who also traveled lightly but often relied on begging. Jesus' disciples were to rely on God's provision through receptive communities, thereby also testing the willingness of people to receive the message of the Kingdom.

Luke 9 3 Word analysis

• And He said to them: Signifies a direct command from Jesus to His chosen apostles, emphasizing the authority and divine origin of the instructions.
• Take nothing: Greek: μηδὲν αἴρετε (mēden airete). The strong negative particle "mēden" combined with the imperative "airete" (take/lift) implies an absolute and emphatic prohibition. It conveys not just "do not take," but "take absolutely nothing." This immediate absence of provisions forces total reliance on God and the hospitality of others.
• for your journey: This defines the scope of the prohibition – specific to this missionary expedition. It is a temporary, tactical directive for this particular mission.
• neither staffs: Greek: ῥάβδον (rhabdon). A staff was a common item for travelers, offering support, defense, or used as a symbolic representation. Luke's Gospel notably differs from Mark's (Mk 6:8), which allows a staff. This absolute prohibition in Luke emphasizes an even greater level of dependence and urgency. It could distinguish them from beggars or mere travelers; their authority was not derived from external items.
• nor bag: Greek: πήραν (pēran). This refers to a leather wallet or knapsack typically carried by travelers or beggars for provisions. Prohibiting it means no pre-packed food or supplies.
• neither bread: Greek: ἄρτον (arton). The basic staple food. To forbid carrying bread directly indicates reliance on immediate provision, rather than personal planning or sustenance.
• nor money: Greek: ἀργύριον (argyion). Literally "silver," referring to any form of currency. This prohibits buying provisions or paying for lodging, requiring dependence on the generous welcome of the recipients of the Gospel. It underscores that their service is freely given and that the Kingdom is not bought or sold.
• and do not have: Another strong prohibition, reiterating the principle of minimal possessions.
• two tunics apiece: Greek: δύο χιτῶνας (dyo chitōnas). The chiton was an inner garment worn next to the skin. To not have two means no spare clothing, no change of clothes. This symbolizes utter simplicity and dedication, removing any focus on comfort or material preparation, highlighting extreme readiness and readiness for sacrifice for the mission. It also signifies being undistracted and not burdening themselves with unnecessary possessions.

Luke 9 3 Bonus section

The specific nature of this command in Luke highlights the emphasis on total trust in God and absolute dependence on the community's hospitality. The variance in details, particularly regarding the staff, between Luke (prohibits) and Mark (permits), is often understood by scholars as reflecting Luke's unique theological emphasis on poverty, renunciation, and total reliance on God's provision for the sake of the urgent Kingdom proclamation. This immediate renunciation of all comforts forced the disciples into a profound spiritual dependence, demonstrating a truly unencumbered availability for the Lord's service. The disciples’ lack of worldly provisions meant their authority came solely from Christ and their message. This radical dispatch also ensured that no one could accuse them of seeking material gain or financial comfort.

Luke 9 3 Commentary

Luke 9:3 presents Jesus' radical instruction for His disciples' initial missionary outreach. It's a foundational lesson in absolute faith, stripped-down simplicity, and the profound urgency of the Kingdom message. The prohibition against carrying staffs, bags, food, money, or extra clothing ensures that the disciples must fully rely on divine provision mediated through the hospitality of those they encounter. This practice serves multiple purposes: it demonstrates authentic faith to observers, fosters genuine interaction and mutual dependence between missionaries and their hosts, and keeps the disciples undistracted and agile for their crucial task. By casting all care upon God, they become living examples of the Kingdom principles they proclaim, demonstrating that God is truly their provider and that the Gospel is truly invaluable, meriting complete abandonment to His service. This was not a permanent ascetic vow, but a specific strategy for this particular mission to impress upon them the nature of total surrender to Christ's work.