Bible Q & A

Matthew 10:10, Mark 6:8 and Luke 9:3 seem to speak of the same command from Jesus but there seems to be a contradiction. Were they told to take a staff or not?

Before we start, we must recognize the message behind the words. Jesus is saying "Go as you are." He is telling the disciples that they are not to bring extra equipment, to search out those who want to hear the truth and not waste time on the obstinate.

Here are the verses in question with the key Greek word(s) defined under each verse:

"take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep." (Matt 10:10)

"take" = "acquire/obtain [another since you already have one]" (1,2,3)
"staff" = "staffs" (4,5)

"These were his instructions: 'Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.'" (Mark 6:8)

"staff" here is speaking of the one they already possess (6)

"He told them: 'Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.'" (Luke 9:3)

"staff" = "staffs" (5) which means "no extra staff"

To further clarify Luke 9:3, we must read later in Luke where Jesus says:

"Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered. He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.'" (Luke 22:35-37)

Jesus asked "did you lack anything" and they answered "No." Remember, without certain necessities that one ALWAYS had with him - like a staff, clothes and shoes - a traveler would not get more than a 100 yards in the hot desert sand.

Notes:

1. "Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Matthew", by R. T. France

2. "Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties", Gleason L. Archer

3. "When Critics Ask", Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe

4. Ibid.

5. "The Interlinear Bible", Jay P. Green, Sr.

Note: The Greek text in this volume is a modified form of the "Received Text" based on "The New Testament in the Original Greek According to the Text Followed in the Authorized Version" edited by F. H. A. Scrivener, 1894-1902; the modifications were made to agree with the majority of manuscripts (see the appendix for specific modifications made)

6. Ibid, R. T. France

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