Mark 6:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} be shod {G5265} with sandals {G4547}; and {G2532} not {G3361} put on {G1746}{G1746} two {G1417} coats {G5509}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wear shoes but not an extra shirt.

Berean Standard Bible

and to wear sandals, but not a second tunic.

American Standard Version

but to go shod with sandals: and, said he, put not on two coats.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:9 provides specific, counter-cultural instructions from Jesus to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first missionary journey. This verse, part of a broader set of directives, mandates that they should wear only simple sandals and not carry a spare tunic or coat. These seemingly mundane details underscore profound theological principles: radical dependence on God's provision, the urgency and singular focus of their mission, and a detachment from material comforts that would distinguish them as heralds of the Kingdom of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 6:9 is nestled within Jesus' commissioning of the twelve disciples (Mark 6:7-13). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus grants them authority over unclean spirits and sends them out "two by two" ([Mark 6:7](/mark/6-7 "Mark 6:7 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")). The instructions that follow, including those in [Mark 6:8-9](/mark/6-8-9 "Mark 6:8-9 - Instructions for the Disciples' Mission"), are practical guidelines for their travel and conduct. These directives are not merely logistical; they are deeply theological, emphasizing simplicity and dependence as foundational to their evangelistic task. The broader narrative of Mark's Gospel frequently highlights Jesus' authority and the nature of discipleship, themes powerfully encapsulated in this sending.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, travel was often arduous, with dusty roads and varying temperatures. It was common practice for travelers to carry extra provisions, including a spare tunic (the basic inner garment, often worn next to the skin) and money, and to wear sturdy sandals. Itinerant teachers, philosophers, or beggars often carried multiple cloaks for warmth, bedding, or as a sign of their status or trade. Jesus' instructions directly contradict these conventional travel preparations. By prohibiting a second tunic and limiting them to basic sandals, Jesus was not merely being ascetic; He was deliberately placing His disciples in a position of complete reliance on God and the hospitality of those they encountered. This also served to distinguish them from other wandering figures, signaling that their mission was divinely ordained and not for personal gain.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 6:9 contributes significantly to several key themes in Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Radical Dependence on God's Provision**. By stripping away their ability to rely on personal resources, Jesus forces the disciples to trust solely in God for their daily needs, mirroring the principles taught in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry About Your Life"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Urgency and Singular Focus of the Mission**. Traveling light symbolized a readiness to move quickly and without distraction, prioritizing the proclamation of the Kingdom over personal comfort or material security. This immediate readiness allowed them to focus entirely on their evangelistic task of preaching repentance and healing the sick ([Mark 6:12-13](/mark/6-12-13 "Mark 6:12-13 - The Disciples Preach and Heal")). Finally, it highlights **Simplicity and Detachment from Materialism**, a recurring theme in Jesus' teaching that challenges worldly values and calls for a counter-cultural lifestyle for those who follow Him ([Luke 12:33-34](/luke/12-33-34 "Luke 12:33-34 - Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Poor")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shod (Greek, _hypodéō'_):** From `ὑπό` (under) and `δέω` (to bind), meaning "to bind under one's feet," i.e., to put on shoes or sandals. This term emphasizes the act of being equipped with footwear, indicating readiness for travel. The passive voice ("be shod") implies that this is their state of being, a simple, practical necessity for the journey.
* **sandals (Greek, _sandálion'_):** Refers to a slipper or sole-pad, simple footwear consisting of a sole attached to the foot by straps. Unlike more elaborate shoes, sandals were basic, common, and practical for walking on the dusty, rocky terrain of ancient Israel. The instruction to wear only sandals highlights the simplicity and lack of luxury expected of the disciples.
* **coats (Greek, _chitṓn'_):** Refers to the basic inner tunic or shirt worn close to the body. It was the primary garment, often made of linen or wool. To "not put on two coats" meant not carrying a spare change of clothes. This prohibition was significant because carrying an extra tunic was a common and practical provision for travelers, offering warmth, cleanliness, or a change of attire. Its prohibition underscores the radical dependence and minimalism Jesus demanded.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But [be] shod with sandals":** This clause provides a positive instruction, specifying the appropriate footwear. Sandals were essential for walking on the rough and dusty roads of Palestine. The command indicates that while the disciples were to travel light, they were not to be impractical or neglect basic necessities for the journey. It signifies readiness for the mission, equipped only with what is fundamentally required for movement.
* **"and not put on two coats":** This is a negative prohibition, forbidding the carrying of a spare inner tunic. The "coat" (chitōn) was the basic garment, and carrying a second one was a common provision for travelers, offering warmth, a change of clothes, or a clean garment. By forbidding a second coat, Jesus underscores the principle of radical dependence on God's provision and the hospitality of others, rather than relying on personal preparedness or excess material possessions. It reinforces the urgency and single-mindedness of their mission, free from the encumbrance of material concerns.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 6:9 primarily employs **Symbolism** and **Contrast**. The simple sandals and the prohibition of a second coat are highly symbolic. The sandals symbolize readiness and preparedness for the journey, but also humility and connection to the earth, distinguishing the disciples from those who might travel in luxury. The prohibition of a second coat powerfully symbolizes radical dependence on God's provision and the hospitality of others, emphasizing a detachment from material security. This stands in **Contrast** to typical travel practices of the day, where carrying extra provisions was a sign of prudence. This stark contrast highlights the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' call to discipleship and the Kingdom mission, setting the disciples apart as those who trust entirely in God rather than in their own resources.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 6:9 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of discipleship and mission. It encapsulates the principle that those sent by God are to operate not out of self-sufficiency or worldly comfort, but out of complete reliance on divine provision and the generosity of the community. This radical simplicity frees the disciples from material anxieties, allowing them to fully embody and proclaim the Kingdom message without distraction or compromise. It teaches that God's work is sustained by God's power and provision, not by human resources or elaborate preparations. This call to trust and detachment from material possessions is a recurring theme throughout Jesus' ministry, challenging His followers to prioritize the spiritual over the material and to live with an eternal perspective.

* [Matthew 10:9-10](/matthew/10-9-10 "Matthew 10:9-10 - Jesus' Instructions to the Twelve")
* [Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply All Your Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:9, while given in a specific historical context, offers timeless principles for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be relying more on material security or personal preparedness than on God's faithful provision. The call to be "shod with sandals" and "not put on two coats" is an invitation to embrace a posture of readiness for God's call, unburdened by excessive possessions or anxieties about the future. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper trust in God, believing that He will supply all our needs as we faithfully pursue His mission. This means prioritizing spiritual growth and Kingdom work over the accumulation of wealth or comfort, and being willing to step out in faith, knowing that God is our ultimate provider. Our readiness for service is not measured by what we possess, but by our willingness to depend entirely on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely more on my own resources and security than on God's provision?**
* **What "extra coats" (material possessions, comforts, or anxieties) might be hindering my readiness to serve God fully?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of trust in God's daily provision, even when stepping out into the unknown?**
* **What does "traveling light" for the Kingdom mean for me in my current context and calling?**

### FAQ
**Was this a literal command for all time, or specific to the disciples' first mission?**

Answer: While the specific literal instructions (e.g., "no two coats") were given for the disciples' initial, urgent mission in a particular cultural context, the underlying *principles* are timeless. These principles include radical dependence on God, prioritizing the mission over personal comfort, and trusting God for provision. Later, Jesus even tells His disciples to take a purse and bag ([Luke 22:35-36](/luke/22-35-36 "Luke 22:35-36 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial and Provides New Instructions")), indicating that the literal application could change with circumstances, but the spirit of trust and focus remains constant.

**Why were sandals allowed but not two coats?**

Answer: Sandals were a practical necessity for travel on dusty, rough roads; they represented basic, indispensable equipment for the journey. The prohibition of a *second* coat, however, was about rejecting *excess* and *self-reliance*. Carrying a spare tunic was a common comfort and provision against need. By allowing the essential (sandals) but forbidding the extra (second coat), Jesus emphasized that the disciples were to rely on God's provision and the hospitality of others for anything beyond the bare necessities, rather than on their own foresight or material security.

**How does this passage apply to modern missionaries and believers?**

Answer: For modern missionaries and believers, Mark 6:9 calls us to a spiritual posture of radical dependence on God and a singular focus on His mission. While we don't literally go without a second coat today, the principle means we should avoid excessive materialism, cultivate trust in God's provision for our needs, and be ready to serve without being encumbered by worldly anxieties or possessions. It encourages a willingness to live simply, prioritize the spiritual over the material, and be available for God's call, knowing that He will equip and sustain us for the work He has given us to do, as seen in passages like [1 Timothy 6:6-8](/1_timothy/6-6-8 "1 Timothy 6:6-8 - Godliness with Contentment").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 6:9, with its emphasis on radical dependence and mission-focused simplicity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus, the Son of God, consistently lived a life of profound humility and complete reliance on the Father. He famously stated that "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus' Life of Humility")), illustrating His own detachment from worldly comforts and His utter dependence on God. His entire earthly ministry was characterized by a singular focus on His mission to seek and save the lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - The Son of Man Came to Seek and to Save the Lost")) and to do the will of the Father who sent Him ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is to Do the Will of God")). The instructions to the disciples in [Mark 6:9](/mark/6-9 "Mark 6:9 - Instructions for the Disciples' Mission") are a call for them to imitate their Master, who "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Thus, the disciples' radical simplicity is a reflection of Christ's own self-emptying and His perfect trust in the Father, making Him the supreme example of the principles He commanded them to live by.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 12:8

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

Ephesians 6:15

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;