• The staff for the journey

    Article CTD015 addresses an Islamic objection concerning an alleged Gospel contradiction: did Jesus permit or forbid a staff on the disciples' mission? Mark 6.8 permits it, while Matthew 10.9-10 and Luke 9.3 seem to forbid it. The analysis shows that Matthew and Luke state the general principle of travelling unencumbered, while Mark clarifies that a staff, an everyday object already owned, is not covered by this prohibition. There is therefore no contradiction, but complementary teaching.

    Matthew 10.9-10 (King James Version) :
    Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
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