Luke 10:4

4 carry no bag, no scrip, nor sandals; and salute no one on the way;

Luke 10:4 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 10:4

Carry neither purse
The Syriac version reads, "purses, "to put money, gold, silver, and brass in; and the prohibition regards the money in the purse chiefly:

nor scrip;
the Syriac version here also reads in the plural number, "scrips", to put victuals in, provisions or any sort for their journey, which they were not to carry with them, any more than money, to buy food with

Nor shoes;
any more than those they had upon their feet; (See Gill on Matthew 10:9) (See Gill on Matthew 10:10) and salute no man by the way; that they might not be retarded, and hindered in their journey by tedious ceremonies, and long inquiries into the health of persons and friends, and the business they were going about, and places where; and by discourses and confabulations, drawn out to great length, as was often the case at meeting on the road: and, for the same reason, a like charge is given to Gehazi, ( 2 Kings 4:29 ) , and which, as the Jewish commentators on the place observe F1, was, that he might not multiply words with persons he met with, and might not be stopped by the way; and that his intention might be in his work, and his mind might not turn to any other thing, either by word or deed. So our Lord's intention, by this order was, not to teach them incivility, or to be morose and uncourteous; but that they might dispatch their business with the utmost expedition, and rather forego some common civilities and ceremonies, than to neglect, or, in the least, to hinder a work of so much importance they were sent about: and this was the more necessary, since, according to the Jewish maxim {b},

``prevent every man with a salutation;''

they saluted all that they met, which took up time, and hindered business. Some sorts of persons indeed were excused, as those who were mourners F3 for the dead, and such as kept fasts for rain F4: but such were not these disciples; they neither mourned, nor fasted, nor could they, so long as the bridegroom was with them.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Jarchi, Kimchi, & R. Levi Ben Gersom in 2 Kings iv. 29.
F2 Pirke Abot. c. 4. sect. 15.
F3 T. Bab. in Misn. Moed Katon, c. 3. sect. 6.
F4 Misn. Taanith, c. 1. sect. 7.

Luke 10:4 In-Context

2 then said he unto them, `The harvest indeed [is] abundant, but the workmen few; beseech ye then the Lord of the harvest, that He may put forth workmen to His harvest.
3 `Go away; lo, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves;
4 carry no bag, no scrip, nor sandals; and salute no one on the way;
5 and into whatever house ye do enter, first say, Peace to this house;
6 and if indeed there may be there the son of peace, rest on it shall your peace; and if not so, upon you it shall turn back.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.