In biblical times, the term "scrip" referred to a small bag or pouch used by travelers, shepherds, or pilgrims to carry provisions, money, or other necessities. The concept of the scrip is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, often symbolizing reliance on God's provision and the simplicity of life expected of those who serve Him.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "scrip" is not directly used in the Old Testament, the concept of a small bag or pouch for carrying essentials is present. Shepherds and travelers in ancient Israel would have used such items to carry food, stones for slings, or other necessities. The lifestyle of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were often on the move, would have necessitated the use of such practical items.

New Testament References

The term "scrip" is more explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the context of Jesus sending out His disciples. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs His disciples as follows:

"Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep." (Matthew 10:9-10)

Here, the "bag" mentioned is often understood to be a scrip. Jesus' instruction to His disciples to take no scrip underscores a reliance on divine provision and the hospitality of those they would encounter. This directive emphasizes the principle of living by faith and trusting in God's provision rather than relying on material possessions.

Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus gives a similar command:

"He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts." (Mark 6:8)

The absence of a scrip in these instructions highlights the call to simplicity and dependence on God, a theme that resonates throughout Jesus' teachings.

Symbolic Meaning

The scrip, or lack thereof, carries symbolic meaning in the biblical narrative. It represents a life of simplicity, humility, and trust in God's provision. The disciples' mission was to spread the Gospel, and their lack of material encumbrances was a testament to their faith and dedication to their calling.

In a broader sense, the concept of the scrip can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life. Believers are called to travel light in this world, focusing on spiritual riches rather than earthly possessions. The scrip serves as a reminder of the transient nature of material wealth and the eternal value of spiritual treasures.

Cultural and Historical Insights

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, a scrip would have been a common item for those who traveled frequently. Made from leather or cloth, it was a practical tool for carrying essentials. The use of a scrip would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, making His instructions to the disciples all the more poignant.

The reliance on a scrip, or the decision to forgo it, reflects the broader biblical theme of trusting in God's provision. Throughout Scripture, God's people are called to depend on Him rather than their own resources, a principle that is vividly illustrated in the instructions given to the disciples.

Conclusion

The concept of the scrip in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of faith, simplicity, and reliance on God. Through the instructions given to His disciples, Jesus teaches the importance of focusing on spiritual matters and trusting in divine provision, a lesson that continues to resonate with believers today.A small bag or wallet usually fastened to the girdle (1 Samuel 17:40); "a shepherd's bag."

In the New Testament it is the rendering of Gr. pera, which was a bag carried by travellers and shepherds, generally made of skin (Matthew 10:10; Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3; 10:4). The name "scrip" is meant to denote that the bag was intended to hold scraps, fragments, as if scraped off from larger articles, trifles.

1. (n.) A small bag; a wallet; a satchel.

2. (n.) A small writing, certificate, or schedule; a piece of paper containing a writing.

3. (n.) A preliminary certificate of a subscription to the capital of a bank, railroad, or other company, or for a share of other joint property, or a loan, stating the amount of the subscription and the date of the payment of the installments; as, insurance scrip, consol scrip, etc. When all the installments are paid, the scrip is exchanged for a bond share certificate.

4. (n.) Paper fractional currency.

SCRIP

skrip: A word connected with "scrap," and meaning a "bag," either as made from a "scrap" (of skin) or as holding "scraps" (of food, etc.). the King James Version has "scrip" in 1 Samuel 17:40 and 6 times in New Testament; the English Revised Version has "wallet" in the New Testament, but retains "script" in 1 Samuel 17:40; the American Standard Revised Version has "wallet" throughout.

See BAG.

4082. pera -- a leather pouch
... leather pouch for food. Of uncertain affinity; a wallet or leather pouch for food --
scrip. (peran) -- 5 Occurrences. (peras) -- 1 Occurrence. 4081, 4082. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4082.htm - 6k3219. yalqut -- receptacle, perhaps a wallet
... a travelling pouch. From laqat; a travelling pouch (as if for gleanings):-scrip.
see HEBREW laqat. 3218, 3219. yalqut. 3220 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3219.htm - 6k

Matt. xxvi. 51-54.
... For Luke affirms this too, that He said unto them, "When I sent you without purse,
and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?" And when they said, "Nothing," He ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxiv matt xxvi 51-54.htm

At the Front or the Base
... The days in which the law for apostles and missionaries was, 'Go forth without purse
or scrip,' ended before Jesus said, 'Go ye into all the world.' That ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/at the front or the.htm

Whether the New Law Made Sufficient Ordinations About External ...
... For He permitted them to set forth to preach without scrip or stick, and so on,
since they were empowered to accept their livelihood from those to whom they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law made.htm

Of the Manner in which it Can be Shown that no Discrepancies Exist ...
... And He said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes,
lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. Then said ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iii of the manner in.htm

Christ Predicts the Danger of the Disciples in their New Relations ...
... The figures chosen were directly antithetical to those employed on the former occasion.
"If I formerly bade you travel without purse, or scrip, or shoes ...
/.../section 271 christ predicts the.htm

Parting Promises and Warnings
... And He said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes,
lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.36. Then ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/parting promises and warnings.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is ...
... "Carry," He saith, "neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the
way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, say, Peace be to this house. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon li on the words.htm

Meditation ix. Private Instruction and Consecrations.
... Jesus, while making known to his Apostles that trying times were at hand for them,
said: 'When I sent you without purse, or scrip, or shoes, did you want ...
/.../meditation ix private instruction and.htm

Psalm CXLIV.
... This battle was fought in the time of our fathers, and ye, beloved, remember it
with me from Holy Scripture....David put five stones in his scrip, he hurled ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxliv.htm

Of the Section Where it is Recorded, that Being Moved with ...
... way: "And He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save
a staff only;" [972] and proceeds further in this strain, "no scrip, no bread ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxx of the section where.htm

Scrip (7 Occurrences)
... pera, which was a bag carried by travellers and shepherds, generally made of skin
(Matthew 10:10; Mark 6:8; Luke 9:3; 10:4). The name "scrip" is meant to ...
/s/scrip.htm - 10k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... This is the "scrip for the journey" pera mentioned in Matthew 10:10 and its
parallel (the King James Version). ("Scrip" is Old English ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

Staves (50 Occurrences)
... Staves (50 Occurrences). Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats,
neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. ...
/s/staves.htm - 23k

Sandals (30 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 10:10 nor scrip for the way, nor two body coats,
nor sandals, nor a staff: for the workman is worthy of his nourishment. ...
/s/sandals.htm - 16k

Scribe's (5 Occurrences)

/s/scribe's.htm - 8k

Script (5 Occurrences)

/s/script.htm - 8k

Yet (1244 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS NIV). Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither
shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (KJV). ...
/y/yet.htm - 35k

Nourishment (14 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 10:10 nor scrip for the way, nor two body coats, nor sandals, nor
a staff: for the workman is worthy of his nourishment. (DBY YLT). ...
/n/nourishment.htm - 10k

Lily (9 Occurrences)
... shadow forth the preciousness of Christ to the Church. Groser, however
(Scrip. Nat. Hist.), strongly argues that the word, both in ...
/l/lily.htm - 15k

Lacked (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and
scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/l/lacked.htm - 12k

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