Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:9

What does Matthew 10:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:9 means

Jesus instructed His disciples to go on their mission without personal financial provisions, specifically forbidding them to carry "gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses." This command demonstrated a radical dependence on God's provision through the hospitality of those they ministered to. It also conveyed the urgency of their mission, allowing no time for meticulous preparation, and underscored that their trust was not in material wealth but in the divine sender. This fosters humility and ensures that listeners understand the message's spiritual value, not its potential for earthly profit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Take no gold or silver or copper in your pockets;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Provide not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do not possess gold, nor silver, nor money in your purses:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do not provide yourselves with gold, or silver, or brass, for your belts,

Context

Following the command to preach and perform miracles, this verse begins a series of detailed, practical instructions regarding the apostles' conduct and provisions for their journey. It initiates the theme of radical dependence on God, establishing a minimalist approach to their material needs as they go forth, immediately leading into further specifics about what they should not carry.

v.8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.

v.9This passage

v.10no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 6:8

    and he charged them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse;

  • Luke 22:35

    And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.

  • Luke 9:3

    And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

  • Luke 10:4

    Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:7

    What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

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