9:3a–b

Jesus told his apostles not to take anything with them on this trip. They should depend on God to provide what they needed as they preached and healed. God would provide for them through people who would give them a place to stay. See Matthew 10:10.

The clause “Take nothing for the journey” in 9:3a is a general command. Specifically, Jesus told the disciples not to take the things listed in 9:3b.

9:3a

Take nothing for the journey: The clause Take nothing for the journey indicates that the disciples should not carry anything with them on their journey.

9:3b

no staff: A staff was a walking stick.

no bag: The term that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bag could refer to one of two things:

(1) A traveler’s bag or knapsack. Such a bag would be for carrying things to be used on the trip. For example:

traveler’s bag (New Living Translation (2004))

(Berean Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) A beggar’s bag. This kind of bag would be for putting in food or money that people would give them. For example:

beggar’s bag (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation)

If possible, use a general word, as most English versions do. If you must be specific, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation fits the context well.

no bread: The word bread describes the main food of the Jewish people. Here the term bread is used in a general way to refer to any type of food. Jesus did not want the apostles to take any food with them. Another way to translate this is:

no food (Good News Translation)

no second tunic: A tunic was a long undergarment. The disciples should not take an extra shirt or set of clothes. See the note on “tunics” at 3:11a. Some other ways to translate this expression are:

or even a change of clothes (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
not even an extra shirt (Good News Translation)

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