Mark 6:9

9 They were to go with common shoes on their feet, and not to take two coats.

Mark 6:9 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 6:9

But be shod with sandals
Which were different from shoes, and more fit to travel with, and therefore allowed when shoes were forbidden; (See Gill on Matthew 10:10), though some think there was no difference between shoes and sandals, and that Christ, in ( Matthew 10:10 ) , does not forbid the taking of shoes, but two pair of shoes; as not two coats, nor two staves, but one of a sort only. And

not put on two coats;
that is, at a time; an inner and an outward one, or one at one time, and another at another: they were forbid change of raiment; the reasons for it (See Gill on Matthew 10:10). From all which it appears, that as a minister of the Gospel ought not to be a worldly minded man, that minds earth and earthly things, and seeks to amass wealth and riches to himself, and preaches for filthy lucre's sake; nor to be a sensual and voluptuous man, serving his own belly, and not the Lord Jesus Christ, feeding himself, and not the flock; so neither should he be filled with worldly cares, overwhelmed in worldly business, and entangled with the affairs of this life: he ought to have his mind free from all solicitude and anxious concern, about a subsistence for himself and his, that so he may with greater and more close application attend to his ministry, to preparations for it, and the performance of it; and give up himself entirely to the word and prayer, and not have his mind distracted with other things: upon which account it is highly necessary, that the people to whom he ministers should take care, that a sufficient provision be made for him; that he may live without any anxious care and thought about such things, and his mind be more intent about the work he is called unto: and which is what our Lord chiefly designs by all this, who has ordained that they that preach the Gospel, should be comfortably provided for, and live of it; and which, as it makes for the peace of their minds that minister, it issues in the advantage of those who are ministered to.

Mark 6:9 In-Context

7 And he gave orders to the twelve, and sent them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits;
8 And he said that they were to take nothing for their journey, but a stick only; no bread, no bag, no money in their pockets;
9 They were to go with common shoes on their feet, and not to take two coats.
10 And he said to them, Wherever you go into a house, make that your resting-place till you go away.
11 And whatever place will not take you in and will not give ear to you, when you go away, put off the dust from your feet as a witness against them.
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