Luke 10:4

Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Luke 10:4 (KJV)

Context

Luke 10:4 is part of the Mission of the Seventy, where Jesus sends out seventy disciples in pairs to towns and villages ahead of Him to prepare the way for His ministry. The verse instructs them to travel without a purse, scrip, or shoes, and to salute no man by the way.

Meaning

The purse was a money bag for carrying coins; the scrip was a traveler’s bag or knapsack for provisions; shoes refer to sandals, meaning they were not to take extra footwear beyond what they wore. Jesus instructs the disciples to travel without these items to emphasize their dependence on God’s provision and their need to trust in Him rather than relying on material possessions. The instruction to “salute no man by the way” reflects the nature of Oriental greetings, which involved lengthy embraces, inclinations, and even prostrations, consuming much time. Jesus did not intend rudeness, but extreme haste and undivided focus on the urgent task. This is illustrated by Elisha’s instruction to his servant in 2 Kings 4:29 not to salute anyone, showing the priority of the mission over social formalities.

Biblical connections

The parallel passage in Matthew 10:9-10 reinforces this teaching, where Jesus gives similar instructions to the Twelve, showing the consistency of His commissioning.

Application

• Dependence on God: By asking the disciples to travel without extra provisions, Jesus taught them to rely on God’s faithfulness to provide for their needs as they engage in His work. Like the disciples, we are called to trust in God’s provision rather than solely depending on our own resources.

• Single-mindedness and urgency: The instruction to avoid excessive greetings suggests that the disciples should prioritize their mission above personal distractions. We should prioritize our commitment to God’s mission and purpose, staying focused on our ultimate goal of spreading the message of the gospel.

• Detachment from material possessions: Jesus’ command to travel without money or extra belongings signifies the importance of being detached from material possessions. It reminds us that our true security and value come from our relationship with God, not from worldly wealth or possessions.

Reflection

Remember that studying the Bible involves exploring various interpretations and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It’s also helpful to consider other Bible passages and commentaries to gain a deeper understanding of the verse.