In this episode of The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast, host Lance Smith tackles a fascinating tension in the Gospels: When Jesus commissions the Twelve for their first mission, did He send them out barefoot and staff-less, as Matthew and Luke suggest, or equipped with sandals and a walking stick, per Mark? Drawing from the New Living Translation, Lance explores the parallel accounts in Matthew 10, Mark 6, Luke 9, and the bonus sending of the seventy-two in Luke 10.

Unpack the Greek nuances—like ktaomai ("acquire") vs. airo ("carry")—with insights from scholars Dave Miller (Apologetics Press), Stacia McKeever (Answers in Genesis), Bill Mounce, and The Veritas Domain. Discover how these aren't contradictions but complementary emphases: "No extras—use what you have and trust God's provision." Lance also fairly addresses skeptical views from Joseph Alward and the Skeptics Annotated Bible, grounding it all in the mission's context of radical dependence.

More than a Bible puzzle, this is a call to lighten your load today—whether in career steps, tough talks, or daily doubts. Travel light; let faith lead. Perfect for Bible study groups, seekers, or anyone wrestling with Scripture's depths.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

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Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 

1. Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/barefoot.html 


2. Dave Miller, "Take It or Leave It," Apologetics Press, 2004: https://apologeticspress.org/take-it-or-leave-it-295/


3. Stacia McKeever, "A Staff or Not," Answers in Genesis, January 12, 2009: https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/a-staff-or-not/


4. Veritas Domain Blog, "Bible Contradiction? Did Jesus tell his apostles to go barefoot and without a staff?," May 20, 2025: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2025/05/20/bible-contradiction-did-jesus-tell-his-apostles-to-go-barefoot-and-without-a-staff/


5. Bill Mounce, "Bible Contradiction: Staff or No Staff?," Bill Mounce Blog, 2024: https://www.billmounce.com/blogs/bible-contradictions/staff-or-no-staff


6. Joseph Francis Alward, "Should Disciples Carry a Staff?," Skeptical Views of Christianity, September 5, 1999: https://skepticalviewsofchristianity.com/disciples_staff.html