Luke 22:35 - Printer Friendly

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 without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?' 'Nothing,' they answered.

NASB: And He said to them, 'When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?' They said, 'No, nothing.'

CSB: He also said to them, "When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything? ""Not a thing," they said.

NLT: Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?' 'No,' they replied.

KJV: And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

NKJV: And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”

During the last evening with the disciples, Jesus gives new instructions for their future journeys. Luke is the only gospel writer to include this section. This is fitting, as the Book of Acts, recording how the disciples travel and spread the gospel, is the sequel to the gospel of Luke.

Jesus introduces the instructions by referring to when He sent them out with no supplies. In Luke 9:1–6, He instructed the Twelve, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics" (Luke 9:3). In Luke 10:1–12, He told seventy-two disciples, "Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals" (Luke 10:4). The instruction to carry "no sandals" is interpreted to mean they were not to take a backup pair. Both groups found their needs met.

After Jesus' ascension, however, their travel will be longer. At least at the beginning, welcoming friends will be fewer and farther between. Jesus tells them to take money and a knapsack. He also makes a curious comment about taking a sword that scholars still argue about (Luke 22:36).

God still provided for the early church. Initially, in Jerusalem, people in the new church supported each other by sharing what they had and selling property (Acts 2:44–47; 4:32–37). Later, particularly during a famine, the planted churches supported their mother church (Acts 11:27–30). Sometimes, however, leaders ministered where the people weren't prepared to support them. In Corinth, Paul found it easier to share the gospel when his audience didn't have to worry about paying him (2 Corinthians 11:9).

Instead of "knapsack," The King James Version uses the term "scrip". This was a handwritten note saying the bearer had a right to receive something, like money. The "scrip" may refer to what would have been inside the knapsack.

Luke 22:35–38 contains material unique to this gospel. Jesus updates the instructions He gave in Luke 9:1–6 and 10:1–12. As before, the disciples will travel, spreading the message of the kingdom of God. But they can no longer rely on the kindness of strangers as they build the church (Acts 1:8). Theologians and Bible scholars are typically more concerned about what Jesus means about taking swords. Next, Jesus leads the disciples to the Mount of Olives where He will pray before Judas returns with the soldiers to arrest Him (Luke 22:39–53).

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke 23 continues Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas. He is then led to the cross where He forgives His murderers and saves a thief before He dies. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, meets two disciples while they travel, and explains to them how the Old Testament prophesied the death of the Messiah. In the final scene of the gospel, Jesus is reunited with His disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.