Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 6:8
And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse;
8. and commanded them ] Now follows a brief summary of the charge, which the Lord proceeded to give them on this occasion, and which is recorded at far greater length by St Matthew, Mat 10:5-42.
save a staff ] They were to go forth with their staff as they had it at the time, but they were not (Mat 10:10) to “ seek,” or “ procure one carefully ” for the purposes of this journey. The “staff” in Mat 10:10, depends on “acquire not” or “provide not for yourselves” in Mar 6:9.
no scrip ] Scrip, from Sw. skrppa, denotes a “wallet” or “small bag.” Comp. 1Sa 17:40, “And (David) took his staff in his hand and chose him five smooth stones, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip.” It was so called, perhaps, because it was designed to hold scraps, trifling articles, scraped off as it were from something larger. It was part of the pilgrim’s or traveller’s equipage: comp. Piers Ploughman’s Vis. 3573;
“I seigh nevere palmere
With pyk ne with Scrippe,”
and Shakespeare, As you like it, III. 2. 171,
“Though not with bag and baggage, yet with scrip and scrippage.” The scrip of the Galilean peasants was of leather, “the skins of kids stripped off whole, and tanned by a very simple process,” used especially to carry their food on a journey, and slung over their shoulders (Thomson’s Land and the Book, p. 355).
no money ] “There was no departure from the simple manners of the country in this. At this day the farmer sets out on excursions, quite as extensive, without a para in his purse, and a modern Moslem prophet of Tarshshx thus sends forth his apostles over this identical region. No traveller in the East would hesitate to throw himself on the hospitality of any villager.” Thomson’s Land and Book, p. 346.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
See these verses fully explained in the notes at Mat 10:9-15. In Mat 10:5 they were commanded not to go among the Gentiles or Samaritans. Mark omits that direction, perhaps, because he was writing for the Gentiles, and the direction might create unnecessary difficulty or offence. Perhaps he omits it also because the command was given for a temporary purpose, and was not in force at the time of his writing.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. A staff only] It is likely he desired them to take only one with every two, merely for the purpose of carrying any part of their clothes on, when they should be obliged to strip them off by reason of the heat; for walking staves, or things of this kind, were forbidden, see Mt 10:10. But, probably, no more is designed than simply to state that they must not wait to make any provision for the journey, but go off just as they were, leaving the provision necessary in the present case to the care of Divine Providence. St. James is represented in ancient paintings, as carrying a gourd bottle on a STAFF across his shoulder.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey,…. To accommodate them in it, except those things after directed to:
save a staff only; a single one, for staves in the plural number are forbidden, [See comments on Mt 10:10];
no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse. Travellers used to put their bread, or any other sort of food into their scrips, and their money in their girdles; but the disciples were not allowed to carry either, because provision was to be made for them wherever they came at free cost, it being what their labour was worthy of;
[See comments on Mt 10:9],
[See comments on Mt 10:10].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Save a staff only ( ). Every traveller and pilgrim carried his staff. Bruce thinks that Mark has here preserved the meaning of Jesus more clearly than Mt 10:10 (nor staff) and Lu 9:3 (neither staff). This discrepancy has given trouble to commentators. Grotius suggests no second staff for Matthew and Luke. Swete considers that Matthew and Luke report “an early exaggeration of the sternness of the command.” “Without even a staff is the ne plus ultra of austere simplicity, and self-denial. Men who carry out the spirit of these precepts will not labour in vain” (Bruce).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And commanded them,” (kai paregeilen autois) “And charged them,” as He sent them forth.
2) “That they should take nothing for their journey (hina meden airosin eis hodon) “in order that they should take nothing in their way,” or as they went their way. They were to go in faith, with such as they had, at the Lord’s bidding, Joh 2:5.
3) “Save a staff only(ei me hrabdon monon) “Except a staff only;- A staff and sandals, Mar 6:9, were the two necessary items for hasty travel, Mat 10:9; Luk 9:3
a) “No scrip,” (me peran) “Not a wallet, or provision bag.
b) ”No bread,” (me arton) “Not any bread or food.”
c) ”No money,” (chalkon)- “Not even any copper money,” but brass, a piece of brass, worth less than a farthing.
d) “In their purse:” (me eis ten zonen) “Not even in the girdle,” no money belt.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(8) Save a staff only.St, Matthew (Mat. 10:10) gives, neither stavesi.e., they were to take one only.
No money.As the margin gives, no brass, or rather bronze, or money. The coins referred to are probably the farthing and the mite of Mar. 12:42.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
8. A staff only The caution in Matthew against two staves, is part of the prohibition against extra provision. Some have ridiculed this mode of reconciliation, as if contradictions in Scripture might be allowed in such minutiae. They might as well say that it was ridiculous for our Lord to allow one coat and forbid two.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he charged them that they should take nothing for their journey except only a staff, no bread, no pack, no money in their belt, but to go shod with sandals and not to put on two coats.’
They were to take only the minimum that they were standing up in on their journeying. God would provide the remainder. Now the prayer that they had been taught, ‘give us today our daily bread’, would take on new meaning. Behind this requirement was the need to make clear that they were going out as preachers, not as recruitment sergeants. Like Jesus they were to be meek and lowly in heart.
‘Except only a staff.’ There is no real contradiction with Matthew. If they had a staff with them they could take it, but they were not to seek one out if they did not have one (Mat 10:10). The point was that they were not to stop in order to obtain one, nor to think in terms of earthly protection, or of belligerence. The sense of urgency was to be paramount. We can see the situation as it arose. Firstly He said to them all, ‘Do not take a staff.’ Then one or two who always carried a staff, probably including Peter, then said, ‘Should we then throw our staves away?’ To which Jesus replies, ‘No, if you already have one, take it.’ Thus to Peter He said, ‘only a staff’. To Matthew He said, ‘Take no staff’.
And for all provisions they must trust God and God alone. Food, money, and other necessities would be provided by Him as they trusted Him and worked faithfully in His name. They had to travel by faith with minimum preparation. ‘Pack’ may mean a begging wallet. They were not to beg. God would supply their needs (Mat 6:25-34).
These provisions demonstrated the haste with which they were to begin their journeys. They stressed the urgency of them. And they stressed what their hearts should be set on. They were to stop for nothing and be ready to live on the minimum. And like Elijah they were to depend fully on God (1Ki 17:3-6).
‘To go shod with sandals.’ They were to go in what they were wearing and not to pack extra sandals or other footwear (Mat 10:10; Luk 10:4).
‘Not to put on two coats.’ The same applied as with the sandals. They were not to be over-provided for, or to provide for eventualities. They were to be satisfied with minimum basic clothing. Whatever was needed extra God would provide (Mat 6:25-34). On cold nights two coats would have been welcome protection if they had to sleep outside, but Jesus is saying, ‘trust God and recognise that He will always provide shelter for the night unless He has a deeper lesson to teach you’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Ver. 8. Save a staff ] Such a one as may ease and relieve you, not such as may cumber and hinder you, Mat 10:10 . So that seeming contradiction is assoiled.
No money in your purses ] Gr. No brass, , in your belts. The most usual material of money among the Roman princes was seldom gold or silver, most times brass, sometimes leather. Corium forma publica percussum, as Seneca hath it. The like is said to have been used here in England, in the times of the Barons’ Wars. And why not? since opinion sets the price upon these outward good things; and anno 1574, the Hollanders, then being in their extremities, made money of pasteboard.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
8. ] Striking instances occur in these verses, of the independence of the three reports in their present form.
Matt. = . Mark = (- v. r.) Luke. See notes on Matt., also in the next clause.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 6:8 . : vide in Matthew, ad loc. : no mention of gold and silver, brass the only money the poor missionaries were likely to handle.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
commanded = charged. See Mat 10:5, &c.
take = take up (as luggage).
for = with a view to. Greek. eis. App-104.
staff. See note on Mat 10:10.
no. Greek. me. App-105.
scrip. Sea note on Mat 10:10.
money. The only coins minted in Palestine then were copper. Compare Mat 10:9 for a Divine supplement.
in. Greek. eis. App-104. Not the same as in verses: Mar 6:2, Mar 6:4, Mar 6:11, Mar 2:25, Mar 2:27, Mar 2:29, Mar 2:47, Mar 2:48, Mar 2:55, Mar 2:56.
purse = belt or girdle. Occurs only here, and in Mat 3:4; Mat 10:9. Mat 1:6; Mat 6:8. Act 21:1 Act 21:1. Rev 1:13; Rev 15:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
8.] Striking instances occur in these verses, of the independence of the three reports in their present form.
Matt. = . Mark = (- v. r.) Luke. See notes on Matt., also in the next clause.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 6:8. , that) That they might be unencumbered, unrestrained, and free [comp. note on Mat 10:10].
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
take nothing (See Scofield “Mat 10:9”)
scrip provision-bag.
purse belt.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
take: Mat 10:9, Mat 10:10, Luk 10:4, Luk 22:35
save: Matthew says that they were to take “neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves;” but this precept plainly means, “Go just as you are; take no other coat, shoes, or staff than what you already have.”
money: “The word signifieth a piece of brass money in value something less than a farthing. Mat 10:9, but here it is taken in general for money.” Luk 9:3
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8
The staff was a walking stick and would be needed from the start, hence they were permitted to provide that. A scrip was the same as a modern lunch basket. They were supposed to be given their necessities by the people among whom they worked on the ground that “the workman is worthy of his meat” (Mat 10:10).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse.
[No scrip.] Concerning the scrip we said somewhat at Mat 10:10; let us add this story: “The Rabbins deliver: There is a story of a certain man, whose sons behaved not themselves well. He stood forth and assigned over his wealth to Jonathan Ben Uzziel. What did Jonathan Ben Uzziel do? He sold a third part; a third part he dedicated to holy uses; and a third part he gave back to the sons of the deceased. Shammai came to him with his staff and with his scrip.” The Gloss saith, “He came to contend with Jonathan, because he had violated the will of the dead.” Behold the vice-president of the Sanhedrim carrying a scrip; in which he laid up victuals for his journey.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Mar 6:8. Save a staff only, i.e., if, as was usual, each had a staff for walking, let him take it, but not provide one especially. This explanation, which is strictly grammatical, removes the apparent difference between the command as recorded here and by Matthew and Luke. Our Lord did not prescribe minutely what each should wear and carry, as monkish rules do. The point is: make no special preparation, take no special care: for the workman is worthy of his food (Matthew), a thought involved in the words: no bread, which Matthew omits.
No wallet. A leathern pouch. The correct order is as here indicated.
No money in their purse, lit., not brass into the girdle.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Mar 6:8-9. He commanded that they should take nothing for their journey That they might be always unencumbered, free, ready for motion. Save a staff only He that had one might take it; but he that had not, was not to provide one. No scrip, no bread Our Lord intended by this mission to initiate them into their apostolic work. And it was, doubtless, an encouragement to them all their life after, to recollect the care which God took of them when they had left all they had, and went out quite unfurnished for such an expedition. In this view our Lord himself leads them to consider it, Luk 22:35, When I sent you forth without purse or scrip, lacked ye any thing? See the note on Mat 10:9-10; where the particular directions here given are explained at large.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
6:8 {3} And commanded them that they should take nothing for [their] journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in [their] purse:
(3) Faithful pastors should not have their minds set even on things that are necessary for this life, if they might be a hindrance unto them, even if it is just a small hindrance.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Twelve were to take with them no food, no luggage, and no money. They were not even to take an extra tunic that Palestinians often used as a blanket at night. The Twelve were to rely on God to provide their needs, including the need for hospitable hosts. The urgency of their mission required light travel, and it prohibited elaborate preparations. They could take a walking stick, and they would need sandals, but they were not to take spares. Apparently Jesus stressed what not to take more than what to take to deprive the disciples of any sense of self-sufficiency. [Note: Guelich, p. 322.]
Matthew’s account reported Jesus forbidding shoes whereas Mark said He permitted them (Mat 10:10). Probably a spare pair of sandals was what Jesus forbade. Jesus was training His disciples to serve, not to lord it over others or to expect others to serve them.
"The particular instructions apply literally only to this brief mission during Jesus’ lifetime; but in principle, with the necessary modifications according to climate and other circumstances, they still hold for the continuing ministry of the Church. The service of the Word of God is still a matter of extreme urgency, calling for absolute self-dedication." [Note: Cranfield, p. 200.]