Luke 10:4
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
Original Language Analysis
μὴ
neither
G3361
μὴ
neither
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
1 of 13
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
βαστάζετε
Carry
G941
βαστάζετε
Carry
Strong's:
G941
Word #:
2 of 13
to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.)
μὴ
neither
G3361
μὴ
neither
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
4 of 13
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὑποδήματα
shoes
G5266
ὑποδήματα
shoes
Strong's:
G5266
Word #:
7 of 13
something bound under the feet, i.e., a shoe or sandal
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κατὰ
by
G2596
κατὰ
by
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
10 of 13
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Luke 22:35And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.2 Kings 4:29Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.Proverbs 4:25Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.2 Kings 4:24Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.1 Samuel 21:8And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
Historical Context
Ancient travelers typically carried provisions for multi-day journeys. Jesus' instructions made the seventy conspicuously dependent and vulnerable. This radical trust demonstrated faith and forced reliance on hospitality—a sacred duty in Middle Eastern culture. Those who received traveling teachers were expected to provide food and lodging. This pattern continued in early Christianity: traveling prophets and teachers depended on local believers' support (3 John 5-8).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jesus' command to travel without provisions teach about faith, dependence, and God's provision for those in ministry?
- How does the prohibition against greeting people 'by the way' challenge modern ministry's tendency toward networking and relationship-building at the expense of mission urgency?
- Why did Jesus later modify these instructions (Luke 22:35-36), and what does this teach about context-specific obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. This radical instruction mandates complete dependence on God's provision. The Greek ballantian (βαλλάντιον, "purse") refers to a money bag; pēran (πήραν, "scrip") means a traveler's bag for provisions; hypodēmata (ὑποδήματα, "shoes") are sandals. Jesus commands them to travel without financial resources, food supplies, or even extra footwear.
The prohibition against greeting people on the way (kata tēn hodon, κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν) doesn't mandate rudeness but urgency. Ancient Middle Eastern greetings involved elaborate courtesies and lengthy conversations (2 Kings 4:29). Jesus demands single-minded focus on the mission—no delays, no distractions. This echoes Elisha's instruction to Gehazi: "if thou meet any man, salute him not" (2 Kings 4:29).
This temporary provision test (later modified in Luke 22:35-36) taught disciples that God supplies workers' needs through receptive hearers. The laborer is worthy of hire (v. 7; 1 Timothy 5:18). They learned dependence, urgency, and trust.