Mark 6:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

NIV: Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.

NASB: but to wear sandals; and He added, 'Do not wear two tunics.'

CSB: but to wear sandals and not put on an extra shirt.

NLT: He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

KJV: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

NKJV: but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.

Jesus is sending out the Twelve, charged to carry out their first missions trip without Him. He has given them authority over sickness, demons, and even death (Matthew 10:8), but He has severely restricted what they can take with them. They are not allowed to take food, money, or a bag to carry either (Mark 6:8).

The comment about wearing sandals gives an opportunity for debate. In the parallel passage in Matthew 10:9–10, Jesus says "Acquire…no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff…" Many speculations have been made about this, but the answer is in the wording. Mark says to wear sandals. Matthew says "Acquire…no…two…sandals." As with the tunics, Jesus tells the Twelve to wear a pair of sandals but not purchase or take an extra.

The Greek root word translated "tunic" is chiton and refers to an undergarment worn next to the skin under a cloak. It is what the soldiers threw lots for at the crucifixion (John 19:23). Taking two would ensure sufficient warmth at night, but Jesus intends for them to stay in homes (Mark 6:10).

This style of missions, to travel somewhere to preach and expect to be supported by those we preach to, is not common in today's world. The responsibility of hospitality is not as strong in European-based cultures. In some areas, hosting Christian missionaries is dangerous. And Western missionaries are used to a higher standard of support than, perhaps, a bed of hay in the barn and a single meal of bread. Still, it should give us pause when we think about how intimately Jesus and the disciples came to know those to whom they ministered. Our ability to drive a car away from the mission field at the end of the day and shut the door to our own home makes life easier, but we need to be open to the times Jesus expects a closer and more dependent relationship.

Mark 6:7–13 describes the Twelve's missions trip, sandwiched by two less-encouraging accounts. Jesus' rejection at Nazareth teaches the disciples and us that preaching the gospel is often most difficult at home (Mark 6:1–6). The execution of John the Baptist by Herod Antipas shows that sometimes doing the work of Christ brings dire consequences (Mark 6:14–29). Jesus had chosen the Twelve to be with Him, to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons (Mark 3:14). They had been with Jesus, not it was a time for them to be sent out to minister to others. Later, Jesus will send out seventy-two (Luke 10:1–12). Before He ascends to heaven, He will send out all who believe in Him (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; John 17:20–26). Matthew 9:35—11:1 recounts this event with more detail, while the account in Luke 9:1–6 is nearly identical to Mark's.

Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth, but the people there are faithless and skeptical. As a result, Jesus performs no more than a few minor miracles. He then assigns His twelve apostles to travel in pairs, preaching repentance and healing various conditions. Mark then takes a brief detour to explain the death of John the Baptist, beheaded after Herod Antipas is tricked by his wife. The focus then returns to Jesus, explaining His miraculous feeding of thousands of people, walking on water, and healing people in Gennesaret.

Even as the Twelve are given opportunity to wield some of Jesus' power and authority, they still struggle to understand. They misinterpret who He is, what He has come to do, and how much He will ask of them. They fear Jesus' display of deity, but seem to dismiss the murderous rejection of His hometown and the death of John the Baptist. It's easy to have faith in a prophet who seems poised to rescue Israel from foreign rule. It is still beyond them to understand that He is actually God.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.