Mark 6:8-9

[8] And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: [9] But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

What is the context of Mark 6:8-9?

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples (Mark 6:7-13 true)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles (Mark 6:7-13 true)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve .( J .) (Mark 6:7-13 true)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve (Mark 6:7-13 true)
The Twelve Sent Out (Mark 6:7-13 true)
Sending Out the Twelve (Mark 6:7-13 true)
The Twelve Commissioned and Sent Out (Mark 6:7-13 true)
Commissioning the Twelve (Mark 6:6-13 true)

What does Mark 6:8-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Twelve were to take with them no food, no luggage, and no money. They were not even to take an extra tunic that Palestinians often used as a blanket at night. The Twelve were to rely on God to provide their needs, including the need for hospitable hosts. The urgency of their mission required light travel, and it prohibited elaborate preparations. They could take a walking stick, and they would need sandals, but they were not to take spares. Apparently Jesus stressed what not to take more than what to take to deprive the disciples of any sense of self-sufficiency. ^[1]

Matthew"s account reported Jesus forbidding shoes whereas Mark said He permitted them ( Matthew 10:10). Probably a spare pair of sandals was what Jesus forbade. Jesus was training His disciples to serve, not to lord it over others or to expect others to serve them.

"The particular instructions apply literally only to this brief mission during Jesus" lifetime; but in principle, with the necessary modifications according to climate and other circumstances, they still hold for the continuing ministry of the Church. The service of the Word of God is still a matter of extreme urgency, calling for absolute self-dedication." ^[2]