Mark 6 9

Mark 6:9 kjv

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

Mark 6:9 nkjv

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

Mark 6:9 niv

Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.

Mark 6:9 esv

but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

Mark 6:9 nlt

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

Mark 6 verses

Mark 6 9 Meaning

Mark 6:9 details Jesus' instructions to His disciples as He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God. It stipulates they should be equipped only with sandals for their feet and are strictly forbidden from taking or wearing a second tunic. This command emphasizes radical simplicity, immediate readiness for ministry without material hindrances, and profound dependence on God's provision and the hospitality of those they would encounter, rather than relying on their own foresight or possessions.

Mark 6 9 Context

Mark 6:9 is part of Jesus' specific instructions to the Twelve Apostles as He sent them out on their first official missionary journey. Preceding this verse, Jesus grants them authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7) and forbids them from taking specific provisions like bread, a bag, or money for their journey (Mark 6:8). The context is about demonstrating absolute reliance on God and the hospitality of others for sustenance and material needs, thus focusing solely on their urgent task of proclaiming repentance, casting out demons, and healing the sick. This radical dependence highlights the nature of Kingdom work, where human self-sufficiency is abandoned for divine power and provision. It underscores that the messenger's comfort or preparedness should never overshadow the message's urgency.

Mark 6 9 Word analysis

• but (Grk. ἀλλὰ, alla): This conjunction indicates a contrast, distinguishing what should be taken or worn (sandals) from what was forbidden (no bread, bag, money from the previous verse, and no two tunics here). It subtly clarifies a permissible, basic necessity within an overall command for minimal provision.
• be shod (Grk. ἐνδεδεμένους, endedemenous): This is a perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being "having been bound in" or "wearing." It implies that they should simply be found wearing sandals, suggesting no special acquisition for the journey, but merely having them on as their basic footwear, without bringing spares.
• with sandals (Grk. σανδάλια, sandal-ia): These were simple, open shoes typically made of leather straps and soles, the most basic form of footwear for protection while walking. They contrasted with more substantial shoes or boots, and also implied they were not to go barefoot, which would be common for the very poor or for religious ascetics seeking to symbolize humility or poverty. Mark's allowance for sandals (in contrast to Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:4, which explicitly prohibit sandals as items to be acquired) suggests that having sandals on (their everyday wear) was permissible, but not acquiring additional or spare ones. The emphasis remains on basic necessity vs. preparation.
• and (Grk. καὶ, kai): A simple connective linking the two parts of the instruction.
• do not put on (Grk. μὴ ἐνδύσησθε, mē endusēsthe): A strong negative command using the particle mē with the aorist middle subjunctive of enduo, meaning "to put on" or "clothe oneself." The middle voice implies it's about what they provide for themselves. It unequivocally forbids wearing or carrying an extra garment.
• two tunics (Grk. δύο χιτῶνας, dyo chitōnas): A chitōn (tunic) was the primary inner garment, like a shirt, worn next to the skin. Possessing "two tunics" implied having a spare, either worn for warmth or as a luxury, or carried as a provision for a journey. This prohibition underscores the complete abandonment of self-reliance, comfort, or even simple foresight in clothing provisions. It emphasizes radical dependency.

Word-group analysis

• "but be shod with sandals": This phrase conveys a crucial nuance: while radical detachment is commanded, extreme recklessness or self-inflicted hardship (like going barefoot on rugged roads) is not the goal. They are to have basic, practical protection, symbolizing readiness for the journey while rejecting any comfort beyond the essential. It’s about being appropriately equipped for the task without unnecessary encumbrance.
• "and do not put on two tunics": This highlights the complete renunciation of material provisions, specifically focusing on clothing. A second tunic was a practical item for comfort (extra warmth), hygiene (a change), or security (an item for trade). By forbidding it, Jesus demanded a profound trust in God and the immediate hospitality of those they encountered, ensuring their mission was not sidetracked by personal comfort or accumulation.

Mark 6 9 Bonus section

The discrepancy regarding sandals between Mark's account and Matthew/Luke is often reconciled by understanding Mark's instruction as permission to wear the sandals they already had on as basic necessity for the journey, in contrast to acquiring new or additional provisions. Matthew and Luke, by omitting the permission or explicitly forbidding sandals, emphasize the principle of absolute non-provision for the journey even more strictly than Mark, aligning on the core message: reliance on God. This instruction was also a polemic against common travelers who would meticulously plan and pack for journeys, as well as against any Jewish legalistic or ascetic traditions that might overemphasize personal rigorousness or display of piety through extreme self-denial. Jesus was shifting their focus from ritual purity or personal comfort to radical, immediate Kingdom proclamation empowered by faith in God's immediate provision and the goodness of His people.

Mark 6 9 Commentary

Mark 6:9 forms a vital part of Jesus' marching orders for His disciples, reflecting the Kingdom of God's distinct values. It's a radical call to unburden themselves of all non-essentials and worldly securities. By permitting only sandals (their everyday basic footwear) and forbidding a second tunic, Jesus underscores the paramount importance of their spiritual mission over personal comfort or foresight. This injunction wasn't a universal poverty vow but a temporary, highly specific directive for an urgent mission, designed to instill absolute dependence on divine provision and community hospitality. It taught the disciples, and by extension believers, that proclaiming the Gospel requires stripping away material distractions and embracing vulnerability as a path to spiritual power.

Examples:

• A missionary traveling to a remote village, relying solely on local hospitality for lodging and meals.
• A Christian leader prioritizing spending time ministering to people over accumulating personal wealth or possessions.