“Staff Problems”

Monday, October 22, 2012

So in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, they talk about the same event from different perspectives.  But why does Matthew 10:10 and Luke 9:3 say to NOT take a staff, and in Mark 6:8 it says to TAKE a staff?

Sincerely,
Staving Off The Problem

Dear Staving Off The Problem,

You are very astute to notice that small detail.  There is, however, no contradiction among these accounts.  In Matt 10:10, Jesus tells them not to take a staff, wallet, two coats… not even to take shoes. No one believes that Jesus was telling them to go barefoot!  In this account of Jesus’ sending the disciples, Matthew is emphasizing that they not bring any extra shoes, staff, coats, etc.  The same is true in the Lk 9:3 account.  In Mk 6:8-9, Mark states the same thing by saying that they should only have one pair of shoes, one coat, and one staff.  In both accounts, Jesus is shown to have instructed His disciples to take little (only one set of clothes, etc.) with them and trust that they would be provided for.

Share