7He called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits. [6:8] He charged them to take nothing for the road except a staff alone — no bread, no bag, no copper coins in the belt — [6:9] but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. [6:10] He said to them: Wherever you enter a house, remain there until you depart from that place. [6:11] And whatever place does not receive you and they do not hear you, as you go out from there shake off the dust that is under your feet as a testimony against them. [6:12] And going out they proclaimed that people should repent. [6:13] They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
MRK 6:7-13
The Ministry of the Twelve
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, travel was fraught with danger, and hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural expectation. The Twelve, sent out two by two, would have been understood as operating within the framework of reciprocity and trust. The instruction to carry only a staff and wear sandals, but no bread, bag, money , or extra tunic , reflects a deliberate reliance on the hospitality of others, a practice that underscored their mission’s urgency and dependence on divine provision. The staff, often a symbol of authority, also served practical purposes like defense and support on rugged terrain. The prohibition against carrying extra clothing or money would have signaled their detachment from material security, aligning with the itinerant lifestyle of philosophers or prophets. The directive to stay in one house until departure reinforced the honor-shame dynamics of hospitality, while shaking off dust from unwelcoming towns mirrored Jewish custom of disassociating from Gentile impurity, marking rejection as a serious moral failure.
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How other translations render this
MRK 6:7
- KJV
- And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
- BSB
- Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.
- Koinōnos
- He called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits.
MRK 6:8
- KJV
- And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
- BSB
- He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—
- Koinōnos
- He charged them to take nothing for the road except a staff alone — no bread, no bag, no copper coins in the belt —
MRK 6:9
- KJV
- But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.
- BSB
- and to wear sandals, but not a second tunic.
- Koinōnos
- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
MRK 6:10
- KJV
- And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
- BSB
- And He told them, “When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that area.
- Koinōnos
- He said to them: Wherever you enter a house, remain there until you depart from that place.
MRK 6:11
- KJV
- And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
- BSB
- If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”
- Koinōnos
- And whatever place does not receive you and they do not hear you, as you go out from there shake off the dust that is under your feet as a testimony against them.
MRK 6:12
- KJV
- And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
- BSB
- So they set out and preached that the people should repent.
- Koinōnos
- And going out they proclaimed that people should repent.
MRK 6:13
- KJV
- And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
- BSB
- They also drove out many demons and healed many of the sick, anointing them with oil.
- Koinōnos
- They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 6:7
- authority:The word translated 'authority' here refers to delegated power or the right to act, rather than raw strength or ability. It implies a legitimate commission to perform a task.
MRK 6:8
- a staff:The word translated 'a staff' refers to a walking stick or rod, often used for support while traveling. It was a common item for a journey.
- money,:The word translated 'money' specifically refers to copper or bronze coins, the lowest denomination of currency. It highlights the instruction to travel without even small change.
MRK 6:9
- tunics.:The word translated 'tunics' refers to the basic undergarment worn next to the skin, similar to a long shirt. Having only one meant no change of clothes.