Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. The first opinion is that when the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded preparation for the journey to Makkah, some Bedouins said: "O Messenger of Allah! With what shall we prepare? By Allah, we have no provisions or wealth!" Then this verse was revealed. [Ibn ʿAbbās]
2. The second opinion is that the Anṣār used to spend and give charity, but they were struck by a year of hardship, so they withheld their spending; thereupon, this verse was revealed. [Al-Ḍaḥḥāk b. Abī Jubayrah]

What is the context of revelation for this āyah?

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. It means withholding spending in the way of Allah. [Ḥudhayfah, Ibn ʿAbbās, al-Ḥasan, Ibn Jubayr, ʿIkrimah, Mujāhid, Qatādah, al-Ḍaḥḥāk]
2. It means refraining from fighting due to preoccupation with wealth. [Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī]
3. It means despairing of Allah's mercy. [Al-Barāʾ, al-Nuʿmān b. al-Bashīr, ʿUbaydah]
4. It means the punishment of Allah. [Narrated by Ibn Abī Ṭalḥah from Ibn ʿAbbās]

What does "throwing yourselves into destruction" mean?

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. It means: spend generously.
2. It means: have a good opinion of Allah. [ʿIkrimah, Sufyān] This interpretation aligns with the view that "destruction" refers to despair.
3. It means: fulfil the obligatory duties. [Narrated by Sufyān from Abū Isḥāq]