And he said unto them When I sent you without purse and scrip and shoes lacked ye any thing? And they said Nothing.Luke 22:35 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: Jesus reminds his disciples of a time he sent them out with no money bag, no travel bag, and no extra shoes — and asks if they were missing anything. They answer, “No, nothing.” - Big idea: Jesus is pointing back to a season when the disciples trusted God and were provided for, even while lacking ordinary resources. - Key points: - The verse recalls an earlier mission when the disciples depended on hospitality and God’s provision. - Their answer (“Nothing”) affirms that they were cared for despite having no purse, bag, or spare shoes. - This moment sets up a contrast: soon they’ll face a different season that requires different preparation. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Luke 22:35 appears during the Last Supper scene. Jesus is speaking to the twelve just before his arrest, teaching and preparing them for what is coming. - Story timeline: Historically this looks backward — Jesus refers to the disciples’ earlier mission trips (when he sent them two by two to preach and rely on hospitality). The speaker is Jesus, and the audience is the twelve apostles gathered for the Passover meal. - Surrounding passage (summary): - Verses just before: Jesus has been warning about betrayal and is giving final teachings and prayers at the upper room table. - This verse (v. 35) recalls the mission-sending instructions (no purse, bag, or shoes) and asks the disciples if they lacked anything during that mission; they answer “Nothing.” - Verses after: Jesus tells them that now, because of what’s coming, whoever has a purse should take it, and he mentions swords — signaling a shift in circumstances and needs (see v. 36–38). ## Explanation - Quick take: Jesus reminds the disciples they were once sent out with nothing and yet lacked nothing — they were provided for. He uses that memory both to affirm their faithfulness and to introduce new instructions for an upcoming harder season. - In Depth: - The verse points back to the mission instructions found earlier in the Gospels (for example Luke 10 and parallels in Matthew and Mark), where followers were told to travel light and rely on the hospitality of others. That lifestyle trained them to depend on God and on the church’s network of hospitality. - When Jesus asks, “Lacked ye anything?” and they say “Nothing,” it’s an affirmation: despite lacking usual resources, they experienced sufficiency. This reflects both God’s care and the disciples’ ability to live by faith and community support. - The immediate literary purpose is to prepare the disciples for a change. Jesus follows by saying that now they should take a purse and bag — showing that earlier instructions were situational. Obedience in one season (poverty/trust) does not mean the same approach applies in every season. - Theologically, the verse balances two truths: God can and does provide when we rely on him, and practical preparation matters when circumstances change. It’s not a blanket command to always be poor or always be wealthy; it’s a testimony to God’s provision and a notice of shifting needs. ## Key Words - purse (Greek: πυρσός, pyrsos) — money pouch or small wallet used for coins. - scrip / bag (Greek: σάκκος, sakkos) — a travel bag or knapsack for belongings. - shoes (Greek: ὑποδήματα, hypodēmata) — footwear, practical for travel; not having spare shoes signaled vulnerability on a journey. - lacked (Greek root: λείπω, leipō / ἔλειψεν, eleipsen) — to be lacking, to be left without. ## Background - In the ancient Mediterranean, traveling teachers often depended on local hospitality: hosts would take care of food and shelter. Jesus’ instruction to go without purse, bag, or even spare shoes was both a practical way to travel light and a spiritual discipline that encouraged dependency on God and on community. - Sending disciples out with minimal provisions was a common prophetic or itinerant teacher practice to show reliance on God’s provision and to test the responsiveness of those they visited. - The Last Supper context makes this recall emotionally charged: Jesus is tying together training the disciples received with imminent events (his arrest, their scattering), so the memory functions as both reassurance and preparation. ## Theology - Theological insights in plain language: - God’s provision: When followers act in obedience and rely on God, they often find they are provided for in surprising ways. - Situational wisdom: Spiritual practices that fit one season don’t automatically apply the same way in another; disciples must learn to be faithful and practical. - Formation through dependence: Being sent with nothing was not just about scarcity — it was formative, teaching trust, dependence, and community reliance. ## Application To Your Life - For workers: Trust that doing faithful work and depending on teammates and community can meet real needs, but also plan responsibly for changing seasons at work. - For parents: Teach your children both trust in God and practical planning — there’s room for both faith and foresight. - For leaders: Encourage teams to depend on shared resources and faith in mission, but also prepare for times when resources or safety may require more prudence. - For seekers: This verse shows that following Jesus includes learning to rely on God and others; it doesn’t mean ignoring practical common sense. - Reflection question(s): - When have you experienced being provided for in a surprising way because you stepped out in trust? - Are there current circumstances that call for trusting dependence, or do they call for practical preparation (or both)? - Short prayer: Lord, help me remember how you have provided, give me the wisdom to know when to trust and when to prepare, and shape me to follow faithfully in every season. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.” - ESV: “And he said to them, ‘When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘Nothing.’” - NIV: “Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you out without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered.” - NRSV: “He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘No, nothing.’” - Why differences matter: Modern translations sometimes add clarifying words (like “moneybag” or “knapsack”) to help today’s readers understand ancient items. The core meaning is consistent: Jesus asks if they were missing anything when sent out with minimal supplies. Small differences (e.g., “no” vs. “not” vs. “nothing”) don’t change the picture — the disciples affirm they lacked nothing. ## FAQs - Q: Does Luke 22:35 teach that followers should always go without money and depend only on God? A: No. The verse recalls a specific earlier mission context where Jesus sent disciples out with minimal supplies to rely on God and hospitality. It testifies to God’s provision in that situation. Luke immediately contrasts that memory with a new instruction: because of what’s about to happen, they should now take a purse and bag (v. 36). So the passage teaches dependence on God as a formative principle but also acknowledges that different seasons require different practical responses. - Q: Why did the disciples say “Nothing”? Were they lying or unaware of real needs? A: Their answer — “Nothing” — is best read as an honest testimony that during that mission they experienced sufficient provision. Saying “Nothing” doesn’t mean they had everything in abundance; it means they were not left lacking essentials. It also reflects community hospitality and God’s provision through people and circumstances. The quick, confident answer shows their trust and possibly pride in having managed well, which Jesus then uses to transition to the sobering changes ahead. ## Cross References - Luke 10:4 — Earlier sending of the seventy (no purse, no bag, no sandals): parallel instruction and mission-training. - Matthew 10:9–10 — Jesus’ instructions to the twelve about not taking gold or extra clothing: another mission-sending parallel. - Luke 22:36 — The immediate follow-up where Jesus tells them to take a purse now — shows change in circumstance. - Mark 6:8–9 — Parallel account of sending the Twelve with similar travel restrictions. ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators connect this verse to the earlier mission instructions (Luke 10 and parallels). They see in the disciples’ “Nothing” both a testimony to God’s provision and a moment of training that Jesus will now adapt for the crisis ahead. Scholars emphasize that Luke is good at showing how earlier sayings of Jesus are re-applied in light of later events; here the recollection highlights discipleship formation (trust) and practical prudence (prepare for hardship). - Group study bullets: - Read Luke 10 and Luke 22 together; compare the mission instructions and discuss what changed between those moments. - Share personal stories of times you lacked material resources but were provided for — what did you learn? - Debate: Is it more faithful to always rely on God’s provision without planning, or to plan carefully for future needs? Where is the balance? ## Related verses (compare and contrast) - Luke 10:4 — Why: Gives the earlier command to travel light; compare how initial mission practice is remembered here. - Matthew 10:9–10 — Why: Parallel instruction to the Twelve; helps show the consistency of Jesus’ missionary training. - Luke 22:36 — Why: Immediate contrast where Jesus tells them to take a purse now, highlighting a change in urgency and context. ## Talk to the Bible Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore this verse interactively. Suggested prompts: - “Show me other places where Jesus tells his followers to travel light and how those instructions are used later.” - “Help me compare Luke 10 and Luke 22: what changed about mission strategy, and why?” - “Give me a short devotional for today based on Luke 22:35 that I can share with my small group.”
