Why did Jesus tell the apostles not to take along a bag, tunics, sandals or staff for their journey?
Jesus tells the apostles not to take along a bag (a traveler’s bag, which hung over the shoulder while journeying and in which food was carried), extra tunics (chitón: the inner garment worn in Roman times under the Roman tunic), sandals or staff for their journey, because they must be examples of dependence on their Master for their needs, trusting that they will meet people who will care for them.
The Greek word péra translated in Matthew 10:10 as bag
(ESV) indicates a traveler’s bag, which traditionally hung over the shoulder while journeying and in which food was carried. A chitón, here translated as tunic(s)
referred to the inner garment worn in Roman times under the Roman tunic.1
The disciples must proceed with their journey in the expectation of being received and cared for with hospitality. Their dependence on the Master must be evident from the very way that they travel. They ought to trust that Jesus will always ensure that they will always encounter people who will care for them. When one has to rely on people alone, one would always be wise to ensure you have sufficient financial reserves and emergency supplies at hand. However, when you trust in your divine Sender, you are free to depart on your journey without any of these things. Such a trusting faith also serves as an example to the audience in that it is quite remarkable that the disciples do not carry any extra money, a bag for their journey, extra articles of clothing, sandals, or staff .
9 Ne prenez ni or, ni argent, ni monnaie, dans vos ceintures;