Verse 4 And salute no man by the way. This, and the other directions given, were not intended to be interpreted strictly and literally. This is proved by the fact that the expressions differ, as recorded by the different evangelists, and are even inconsistent with each other, if pressed to a strict interpretation. The meaning is, that they were to go as they were, without making any special preparation, and that they were to give their time and attention wholly to their work, and not engage in social enjoyments, and in the interchange of the courtesies of society, in the places they should visit. The object of this mission seems to have been to disseminate generally some authentic knowledge of the Savior's person and character as a messenger from heaven, and to call the attention of the community to the coming of the Messiah. They were not, however, instructed to say that Jesus was himself the Messiah. Like many of the other measures adopted by Jesus and the apostles, this mission of the seventy was suited to a local and temporary purpose, and is of course not of binding authority as a model for imitation.