nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Matthew 10:10

“nor wallet in the way, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staff. For the toiler, he is worthy of his food” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus began a list of things that the twelve were not to take when they went out to evangelize the cities of Israel. That list now continues, saying, “nor wallet in the way.”

Here, the péra, pouch, is introduced. It will be seen six times in total between Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It signifies a leather pouch for food. Strong’s defines it as a wallet, but today we think of a wallet as something folded and carried in a pocket.

This would rather be a pouch that would carry food or money as a traveling bag. It is probably something similar to what David carried in his battle with Goliath –

“Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40

Continuing, Jesus next says, “nor two tunics.” The meaning is the same intent as that of Mark 6:8, where it says, “and not to put on two tunics.” Having a second tunic would mean they put both on. Instead, they were to wear the simplest attire without any extra for comfort, replacement, or fashion. Next, He says, “nor sandals.”

Seemingly contradictorily, Mark says that they were to wear sandals. The reconciliation between the two is to consider first the nature of the land. It would be close to impossible to walk in Israel without footwear. The land is hot, and the feet would burn. The stones on paths range from every type imaginable. Some would bruise the feet, some would slice them like razors, etc. And there are thorns of various types that are everywhere. They pierce, slice, and scratch.

Therefore, these words probably default to what was just said about “nor two tunics.” In other words, this is a second category where only one pair is to be taken. If they were to get ruined, they would be at the mercy of others to provide repair or replacement. Likewise, it next says, “nor staff.”

Again, Mark says, “He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff” (Mark 6:8). As such, this is a third category limiting them to a single staff. Having a second staff would be a help at times in various ways, but they had to make do with just one. Should they break or lose it, they would have to be provided by those whom they tended to.

Each of these points becomes obvious based on the next words, “For the toiler, he is worthy of his food.”

In this thought, Jesus is lumping each of these traveling necessities into one thought, that of food. It is the overarching need to be provided for from day to day. The others were needs that arose from time to time and would be considered a part of the “food” necessity that these men would have.

The same thought is seen in the words “Bread is the staff of life.” It is the principal need, as if a staff of support. The staff, however, is included in the phrase. It thus means, “Bread is the principal support.” In Matthew, the word “food” speaks of the whole of that which is necessary, which includes a tunic, sandals, and a staff. Anything extra of each goes beyond the basic needs.

Life application: As with other seeming “contradictions” found in Scripture, there is a reasonable explanation for Jesus’ words. What seems at first contradictory is merely one person’s way of explaining what was said as opposed to someone else truthfully telling the same account using different words to convey the substance of what is said.

Matthew focuses on the negative of the subcategories, “you shall not.” This is dependent on a main thought. In this case, two of something. Mark places that thought at the end. Therefore, his positive command becomes necessary –

Matthew: Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

Mark: He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— 9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Matthew’s final words about the wages form an explanation to sum up the overall thought.

When you come to difficult passages, be sure to stop and consider the structure of them, the surrounding words that are provided, etc. In doing this, what seems at first contradictory is not. Rather, it is the natural way that different people will present the same thought, and it is as common as windows on a skyscraper.

Lord God, lots of people have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to tear apart Your word in order to confuse those who read it. Help us to think clearly and soberly about the difficulties presented in it. From there, give us wisdom in what is presented. Help us, though, not to rationalize away such things, but to logically explain why things are presented as they are! Help us in this, O God. Amen.