10:10a

Take no bag for the road: In the Greek, this clause is literally “no bag for the road.” The word Take is not in the Greek of 10:10a but the words “Do…carry” are implied from 10:9. In some languages, it will be necessary to repeat the verb used in 10:9, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

The word bag refers to the type of bag used when traveling. It is a bag in which clothes and other things are carried.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

traveler’s bag (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
knapsack (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

or second tunic: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tunic refers to a long “shirt” or “undergarment” that covered the body from the shoulders to the knees. Both men and women wore this kind of garment next to the skin and then put an outer garment over it.

This same word occurs in 5:40a.

The phrase or second tunic means that the disciples should not take an extra tunic along with them. They could wear one, but not take a second one along.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

an extra shirt (Good News Translation)
-or-
extra clothes (New Century Version)
-or-
a second shirt

or sandals: The word sandals refers to a type of shoe. They are flat pieces of leather with straps to tie to the feet.

This phrase probably means that Jesus prohibited his disciples from taking extra sandals. He was not telling them to go barefoot. (See the parallel passage in Mark 6:9 where Jesus told his disciples to wear sandals.)

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

⌊extra⌋ sandals/shoes
-or-

⌊a second pair of⌋ shoes

or staff: This word refers to a walking stick, which helped a person walk in difficult places. He also used it to protect himself against animals, snakes, and robbers.

Here is another way to translate this word:

walking stick (Good News Translation)

10:10b

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the basis for the command not to take along any gold or these other things (10:9–10a). The disciples should not take along these things for/because they are God’s workers and deserve their food.

Here are some other ways to introduce this basis:

because
-or-

⌊I say this⌋ because

the worker is worthy of his provisions: This clause was probably a Jewish proverb. Jesus used it to apply to his workers, the disciples.

It means that other people should take care of the needs of a disciple when he works for God. This would include the food and whatever other needs he might have.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the worker deserves to have his needs met (God’s Word)
-or-
the worker is worthy of receiving his living

-or-

it is appropriate/right that you be given what you need ⌊from/by the people to whom you give the word of God⌋

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