Matthew 10:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.

NIV: no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.

NASB: or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support.

CSB: Don't take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.

NLT: Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

KJV: Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

NKJV: nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

Jesus is sending His core group of twelve apostles out into Galilee in Israel to preach that the kingdom of heaven in near. This likely includes teaching that Jesus is the Messiah, its King. He has told them not to stock up for the trip with extra money or precious metals (Matthew 10:5–9). This implies that they are not to even take money or the means to buy supplies.

Now He tells them not to take a bag. Some interpreters believe this is a reference to beggars holding up pouches into which others could drop coins. He tells them not to pack an extra tunic or extra sandals and staff. In other words, for this unique trip, they should make absolutely no provision for their own needs.

Why would Jesus say this? He answers here: The laborer deserves his food. Jesus wants to show these men that God can provide their needs through the hospitality and generosity of those they serve (Matthew 6:25–34). In this way, they will learn to become more comfortable with not knowing where every meal will come from along the way. Those who repent and prepare for the coming of the kingdom of heaven will demonstrate their faithfulness by providing for the messengers.

Having said that, this will not be Jesus' instruction for every mission the disciples will face. In fact, in Luke 22:35–41, Jesus will give them nearly opposite instructions about preparing for a journey.

Matthew 10:5–15 contains Jesus' instructions for His twelve apostles, for their missionary trip to the towns of Galilee, in northern Israel. Their mission will be to preach His message that the kingdom of heaven is near, while also healing people and casting out demons. The apostles must not take with them extra money or clothes. Instead, they will stay with those who are worthy in each town they visit. If nobody in a town believes their message, the disciples are to shake the dust of that town from their feet. Jesus will follow these instructions with a series of warnings and encouragements.

Jesus gives His authority over disease, demons, and even death to His twelve hand-picked apostles. He gives them instructions in preparation both for a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee and their ministry after He has left the earth. First, they will preach His message of the kingdom in Israelite towns as they heal and cast out demons to demonstrate His power. Later, they will suffer great persecution as they represent Him before both Jews and Gentiles. They should not be afraid, though, and trust their Father to be with them and to reward them.

Jesus has recently expressed compassion for the people of Israel, who are spiritually lost. Matthew 10 is a record of Jesus' instructions to His twelve core apostles, as He sends them on a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee. He also includes warnings and encouragements about the persecution they will eventually experience. In chapter 11, Jesus will continue to proclaim truth to the people of Israel, leading to further conflict with local religious leaders.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.