Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes:

Spoken to: 

group

After Jesus appoints the seventy and is sending them out.

KJV: 

Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

NIV : 

Luke 10:4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Don't lift up a purse. Not a food pouch. Not sandals and down the way you should draw nobody to yourselves. 

MY TAKE: 

Be careful out there.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

GREEK ORDER: 

μὴ     βαστάζετε βαλλάντιον, μὴ      πήραν,        μὴ   ὑποδήματα,
Don't lift up       a purse.        Not a food pouch. Not sandals       

καὶ μηδένα κατὰ   τὴν ὁδὸν ἀσπάσησθε.
and nobody down the way you should draw to yourselves. 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

Correctly translated, this verse is a warning against the dangers of the road. The sense of the word translated as "carry" and "take" primarily means to "lift up" or "raise." The sense is not to carry these things visibly.

What about greeting people? The word translated as "greet" also means "to draw to yourself." We know it means this because it is in the middle voice where the verb acts on the person doing it. This problem isn't greeting people, it is attracting attention. We know from the parable of the good Samaritan that roads were unsafe. The idea was to travel in groups and avoid contact when alone.

The phrase is "down the road" not "on" or "by." The "down" is meant to give a sense of warning as well.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "neither." The "not" doesn't belong here but before the verb.
  • WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "nor."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "nor."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "shoes" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
  • WF -- Wrong Form  -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
  • WV -- Wrong Voice -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for yourselves" or a "yourselves" as an object. 
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "by" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

8
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "take."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "nor."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "nor."
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "not" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form  -- This verb is in the form of possibility, a subjunctive, which requires a "should" or "might" when outside of a "when/if/whoever" clause.
  • WV -- Wrong Voice -- This verb is a middle voice, which requires a "by/for yourselves" or a "yourselves" as an object. 
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "anyone" should be something more like "nobody."
  • CW --Confusing Word -- The "on" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Carry   - "Carry" is from a verb that means to "lift up" "raise," "endure," and "bear." Jesus only uses it six times, usually in the sense of taking up a heavy responsibility.

neither -- (CW, WP) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. This is not the word usually translated as "neither."

purse, -- The Greek word translated as "purse" here means "bag", "pouch", and "purse." This word is only used in Luke, for the first time here. 

nor - (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. This is not the word usually translated as "nor." 

scrip, -- "Scrip" is translated from a Greek word specifically meaning a leather pouch to carry food or provisions for traveling. We might call this a knapsack. The word "scrip" means "bag" in Old English.

nor - (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. This is not the word usually translated as "nor." 

shoes: -- (CW) "Shoes" is the Greek word for sandals that a person ties on.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses. The following verb is not a command as translated.

salute -- The word translated as "salute" is translated as "greet" in most other Bible translations, but the idea is more enthusiastic than that. The word means "draw to yourself." It is used mostly to describe greeting, including the embracing and kissing of a greeting, but it also describes clinging to, and saying goodbye, where there can be embraces as well. It is in the form of either a statement or a command/request.

missing "by/for yourselves"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to  act on "yourselves," "for yourselves" or "by yourselves."

no man - The Greek word translated as "no man" here means "no one" and "nobody." The form of the word refers to both sexes.

by -- (CW) The word translated as "by" means "down from," "down into," "against," "opposite," "separately," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally." As an adverb is means "downward" or "down."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

way. -- "Way" is from a word meaning "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." In Acts, followers of Jesus are described as those "belonging to the way."

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Do -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek.

not --  The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. This is not the word usually translated as "neither."

take - (CW) "Carry" is from a verb that means to "lift up" "raise," "endure," and "bear." Jesus only uses it six times, usually in the sense of taking up a heavy responsibility. This is not the word usually translated as "take."

a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.

purse, -- The Greek word translated as "purse" here means "bag", "pouch", and "purse." This word is only used in Luke, for the first time here.

or - (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. This is not the word usually translated as "or." 

bag, -- "Bag" is translated from a Greek word specifically meaning a leather pouch to carry food or provisions for traveling. We might call this a knapsack. The word "scrip" means "bag" in Old English.

or - (CW) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests.  It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. This is not the word usually translated as "or." 

sandals: -- "Sandals" is the Greek word for sandals that a person ties on.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

do -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek.

not -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

missing "should" or "might"-- (WF) A helping verb is necessary because the following verb is a verb of possibility, a subjunctive, something that "should" or "might" occur. The helping verb is not needed in a clause beginning with an "if," "when," "whoever" and other conditional clauses. The following verb is not a command as translated.

greet -- The word translated as "salute" it is translated as "greet" in most other Bible translated, but the idea is more enthusiastic that that. The word means "draw to yourself." It is used mostly to describe greeting, including the embracing and kissing of a greeting, but it also describe clinging to, and saying goodbye, where there can be embraces as well. It is in the form of either a statement or a command/request.

missing "by/for yourselves"-- (WV) A phrase is necessary because the form of the previous verb is a middle voice, which means that the subject is to  act on "yourselves," "for yourselves" or "by yourselves."

anyone - (WW) The Greek word translated as "no man" here means "no one" and "nobody." The form of the word refers to both sexes.

on -- (CW) The word translated as "by" means "down from," "down into," "against," "opposite," "separately," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

road . -- "Road" is from a word meaning "the way" or "the road" but which is used symbolically to mean "a way of doing things" or "a philosophy of life." In Acts, followers of Jesus are described as those "belonging to the way."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative,  and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action:  thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."

βαστάζετε [6 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Carry" is bastazo, which means "to lift up," "to raise," "to bear," "to carry," "to endure," and "to carry off, "produce," "yield," of land."

βαλλάντιον, [4 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Purse" is from ballantion, which means "bag", "pouch", and "purse."

μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative,  and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action:  thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."

πήραν [5 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Scrip" is from pera, which means a "leather pouch to carry food," "a bag for traveling," or "a wallet."

μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative,  and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action:  thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought.  With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."

ὑποδήματα, [2 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Shoes" is from hypodemawhich means "sole bound under the foot with straps", "sandal", "shoe", and "half-boot".

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

μηδένα [7 verses](adj sg masc/fem acc) "No man" is from medeis, which means "nobody," "no one," "not even one," "naught," "good for naught," and "nothing." 

κατὰ [60 verses](prep/adv) "Against" is kata can be a preposition or an adverb. As a preposition with the genitive, it means, means "downwards," "down from," "down into," "against," "down toward," "down (from),"  and, or time, "for." With the accusative, it means "down (to)," "according to," "about," " during," of motion, "on," "over," "throughout a space," "opposite," "separately," "individually," "at a time," "towards," "in accordance with," "concerning," "corresponding with," "during the course of a period," and "severally." As an adverb, it means "according as," "just as," "in so far as," "wherefore," "like as if" and "exactly as." As an adverb is means "downward" or "down."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or εSee this article.  

ὁδὸν [27 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Way" is hodos, which means literally "way" or "road" but it also means "travel" and "journey."  It is interesting that a term joining a path with philosophy exists in many languages from the west to the east.

ἀσπάσησθε[3 verses](verb 2nd pl aor subj mp) "Salute" is aspazomai, which means "to welcome kindly", "to greet", "to be glad", "to kiss", "to embrace", "to cling fondly to", "to draw to one's self", "to follow eagerly [of things]", "to cleave to [of things], "to receive with joy," and "to salute [from a distance]."

Related Verses: 

Matthew 10:10 Nor bag for [your] journey,

Luke 22:35 When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes,

Luke 9:3 Take nothing for your journey, neither staves

Front Page Date: 

Mar 27 2024