Luke 22:36

He that hath a purse] Although under ordinary circumstances those who preach the gospel are to live of the gospel and not concern themselves with worldly affairs, yet under exceptional circumstances, e.g. amid hostile surroundings, or in a heathen land, or in a church extremely poor, ministers of the gospel may engage in trade, or in other ways provide for their maintenance, as St. Paul did (Acts 18:3).

Scrip] i.e. provision-basket.

And he that hath no sword] The better translation is, 'And he that hath no money and no scrip, let him sell his cloak and buy a sword.' The meaning is that the danger will be so great, that self-defence will be of primary importance. The best course for a man who has no money, will be to sell his cloak to buy a sword to defend himself. Sword stands here for all lawful means of self-defence. When St. Paul pleaded before Nero, he doubtless employed counsel to defend him. This was 'buying a sword 'in the sense which Jesus intended.