• 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.

    Luke 9.2-3 (King James Version) :
    And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
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