1Calling the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. [9:2] He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. [9:3] He said to them: "Take nothing for the road — neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. [9:4] Whatever house you enter, remain there and depart from there. [9:5] And whoever does not receive you — when you go out from that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." [9:6] Departing, they went through village after village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
LUK 9:1-6
The Ministry of the Twelve
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, itinerant teachers and philosophers often traveled with minimal possessions, relying on hospitality and patronage for survival. The Twelve, sent by Jesus, are instructed to embody this simplicity, but with a distinct purpose: proclaiming the kingdom of God and healing the sick. Their authority and power over demons and diseases would have been understood as divine delegation, contrasting with the magical or philosophical claims of other wandering healers or exorcists. The prohibition against carrying a staff , bag, bread, money, or extra tunic underscores their dependence on divine provision and the hospitality of those they encounter. This practice also aligns with Jewish customs of trusting God’s care, as seen in the Exodus narrative. The instruction to shake off dust from unwelcoming towns reflects a symbolic act of disassociation, common in Jewish practice to signify rejection of impurity or hostility. The Twelve’s mission thus combines Jewish prophetic tradition with a radical trust in God’s provision.
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How other translations render this
LUK 9:1
- KJV
- Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
- BSB
- Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases.
- Koinōnos
- Calling the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.
LUK 9:2
- KJV
- And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
- BSB
- And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
- Koinōnos
- He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
LUK 9:3
- KJV
- And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
- BSB
- “Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic.
- Koinōnos
- He said to them: "Take nothing for the road — neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
LUK 9:4
- KJV
- And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
- BSB
- Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that area.
- Koinōnos
- Whatever house you enter, remain there and depart from there.
LUK 9:5
- KJV
- And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
- BSB
- If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”
- Koinōnos
- And whoever does not receive you — when you go out from that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.
LUK 9:6
- KJV
- And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
- BSB
- So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
- Koinōnos
- Departing, they went through village after village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 9:1
- He gave:The word translated 'He gave' here refers to an inherent ability or capacity, a dynamic power that enables action. It's not just permission, but the actual strength to do something.
- power:The term used here for 'power' denotes delegated authority or the right to act, often implying a position of control or jurisdiction. It's not just strength, but the legitimate right to use it.
LUK 9:3
- staff:The word translated 'staff' could refer to a simple walking stick, but also carried connotations of a rod of authority or a scepter, suggesting more than just a utilitarian item.
LUK 9:6
- evangelising:The word translated 'evangelising' literally means to proclaim good news or glad tidings. It implies a message of joy and hope, not just any kind of teaching.