Luke 22:35 – “Then Jesus asked them, ‘When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?’ ‘Nothing,’ they answered.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus reminds His disciples of a previous time when He sent them out on a mission without any extra provisions, and He asks if they ever lacked anything during that time. The disciples confirm that they did not lack anything. This conversation recalls an earlier moment in Jesus’ ministry when He sent the disciples out in pairs to preach, heal the sick, and drive out demons (Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-12). At that time, He instructed them not to take extra supplies, trusting that God would provide for their needs through the hospitality of others.
This verse emphasizes how God faithfully provided for the disciples, even when they had nothing. However, this reminder is part of a larger conversation in which Jesus is preparing them for a new and more difficult phase of their mission. The days of relying on hospitality and support from others are coming to an end, and they will soon face rejection, hostility, and persecution.
Historical Context
During His ministry, Jesus often sent His disciples out to spread the good news of the kingdom of God. When He first sent them, they were to rely completely on God’s provision and the goodwill of others. This was common in Jewish culture, where hospitality was a valued practice, especially for traveling teachers and preachers. People were expected to offer food, lodging, and basic necessities to those who traveled in God’s name.
However, as Jesus approaches His crucifixion, the situation is changing. The religious and political authorities are becoming more hostile toward Jesus and His followers, and the disciples will soon face opposition and danger. By reminding them of God’s past provision, Jesus is preparing them to trust Him in the more difficult times ahead. Although the external circumstances will change, God’s faithfulness will not.
Theological Implications
This verse teaches an important lesson about trusting God’s provision. When the disciples first went out without any extra supplies, they had to rely entirely on God to meet their needs. Their experience showed that God is faithful and that He provides for His people when they step out in obedience to His calling.
However, Jesus’ reminder of this past provision is also a preparation for future challenges. Trusting God does not mean that life will always be easy or that believers will never face hardship. The disciples are about to enter a time of suffering, but they can face it with confidence because they know that God has been faithful in the past and will continue to be faithful in the future.
This verse also highlights the balance between faith and preparation. While the disciples initially relied on God’s provision through others, they are now being instructed to prepare for the challenges ahead (Luke 22:36). This shows that trusting God doesn’t mean ignoring practical preparations—it means combining faith with wisdom.
Literary Analysis
Luke’s use of dialogue in this verse emphasizes the personal nature of Jesus’ relationship with His disciples. By asking them to reflect on their past experiences, Jesus is helping them remember God’s faithfulness and preparing them for the challenges ahead. The simplicity of the disciples’ response—“Nothing”—underscores the completeness of God’s provision. They lacked nothing because God met their every need.
The structure of this passage also serves as a turning point in the narrative. The reminder of past provision is followed by a shift in Jesus’ instructions, signaling that the disciples’ mission is entering a new phase. This literary structure highlights the transition from the relative safety of their earlier mission to the dangers they will face after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Biblical Cross-References
- Luke 9:1-6 – Jesus sends out the Twelve, instructing them to take no extra supplies and to rely on God’s provision.
- Luke 10:1-12 – Jesus sends out the seventy-two, giving them similar instructions to depend on hospitality and trust in God’s provision.
- Matthew 6:25-33 – Jesus teaches about trusting God to provide for daily needs, just as He cares for the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.
- Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
- Hebrews 13:5 – God promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” highlighting His constant presence and provision.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that God is faithful and that He will provide for their needs when they step out in obedience to His calling. Whether facing small daily challenges or major life decisions, believers can trust that God will meet their needs, just as He did for the disciples.
However, this verse also encourages Christians to be prepared for changing circumstances. There may be seasons when life feels relatively easy and provision seems abundant, but there may also be seasons of difficulty, opposition, or scarcity. In both situations, the key is to trust in God’s unchanging faithfulness.
This verse also highlights the importance of reflecting on past experiences of God’s provision. When facing new challenges, believers can draw strength and confidence from remembering how God has provided for them in the past. This practice of remembering builds faith and helps them trust God for the future.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in this verse through His faithful provision for the disciples. Even when they had no supplies, God ensured that they lacked nothing. This reflects His care for His people and His desire to provide for their needs.
God’s love is also shown in the way Jesus prepares the disciples for the challenges ahead. He doesn’t leave them unprepared or unaware of what they will face. Instead, He reminds them of God’s past faithfulness and equips them with the knowledge and wisdom they will need to persevere. This demonstrates God’s protective and nurturing nature—He guides His people through both seasons of abundance and seasons of difficulty.
Additionally, God’s love is shown in His desire for His people to trust Him. By allowing the disciples to experience a time of dependence on others, God was teaching them to rely on Him rather than on their own resources. This lesson is rooted in His loving desire for them to grow in faith and intimacy with Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is central to this verse as the one who guides, teaches, and provides for His disciples. He is the one who sends them on their mission, ensures their provision, and prepares them for future challenges. This reflects His role as the Good Shepherd who cares for His flock and leads them through every stage of their journey.
This verse also connects to Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God and the need for trust in God’s provision (Matthew 6:25-33). Jesus consistently taught His followers to seek God’s kingdom first, trusting that their material needs would be provided for. His own life demonstrated this principle—He lived simply, relying on God to provide through the generosity of others.
Ultimately, this verse points to Jesus’ role as the source of spiritual provision. Just as the disciples lacked nothing during their mission, those who trust in Jesus will find that He meets their deepest spiritual needs. His death and resurrection provide the ultimate provision: salvation and eternal life.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Can you think of a time when God provided for you in an unexpected way? How did that experience strengthen your faith?
- How do you balance trusting God’s provision with making practical preparations for the future?
- What lessons can you learn from the disciples’ experience of having “nothing” yet lacking nothing?
- How can you remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness when facing new challenges or uncertainties?
- In what ways can you encourage others who may be struggling to trust in God’s provision?
This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and His ability to provide for His people in every situation. It challenges believers to trust Him fully, to prepare wisely, and to look back on past experiences of His provision as a source of strength for the future.