{Save a staff only} (ei m(8820)rabdon monon). Every traveller
and pilgrim carried his staff. Bruce thinks that Mark has here
preserved the meaning of Jesus more clearly than Mt 10:10 (nor
staff) and Lu 9:3 (neither staff). This discrepancy has given
trouble to commentators. Grotius suggests no second staff for
Matthew and Luke. Swete considers that Matthew and Luke report
"an early exaggeration of the sternness of the command." "Without
even a staff is the _ne plus ultra_ of austere simplicity, and
self-denial. Men who carry out the spirit of these precepts will
not labour in vain" (Bruce).
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