Matthew 10:10-13

Scrip. Gr. perna, “a leather sack,” or “a wallet”; often used by travelers for carrying provisions or clothing.

Coats. Gr. chitones, the “tunics,” or inner garments; coats only in the sense of being undercoats (see on ch. 5:40). The disciples were to take only the clothing they wore. They were to be dressed like the common peasants among whom they were to labor, and be one with them. Their labors would thus be more effective.

Shoes. Literally, “sandals.” According to Mark 6:9 the disciples were to wear sandals on this journey, and it would therefore seem that Matthew means they were not to carry along an extra pair with them (see Luke 10:4).

Staves. In the parallel passage in Mark (ch. 6:8) they were instructed to take nothing “save a staff only.” Perhaps Matthew intends to emphasize that they were not to “provide” anything extra for the journey (see on v. 9), and means here that the disciple who did not have a staff already was not to consider it necessary to procure one.

Workman. Or, “laborer.” The disciples themselves were the “labourers” whom they were to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth into the harvest field (see ch. 9:38).

Meat. Gr. trophe, “nourishment,” or “food” (see on ch. 3:4). In his account of the instructions to the Seventy (Luke 10:7) Luke uses misthos, “wages.” Compare Paul’s position on the gospel laborer (1 Tim. 5:18).