6:9

and to wear sandals, but not a second tunic: It is implied here that the disciples were not to take extra clothes. The New American Standard Bible gives a fairly literal translation of the Greek: “but to wear sandals; and…not put on two tunics.” In other words, Jesus told them to wear what they had on, but not to take more clothing than that.

sandals: The word sandals refers to a type of shoe. The sandals people wore in that time were usually pieces of leather that made a shoe sole (bottom of the shoe). This leather sole was tied onto the foot with leather straps.

Translate this word as you did in 1:7c.

second tunic: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as tunic refers to a long “shirt” or “undergarment” which covered the body from the shoulders to the knees. Both men and women wore this kind of garment next to the skin and then put an outer garment over it.

If you have a term for an undergarment that covers the body from the shoulders to the knees, you should use it here. But if you do not have such a term, you may want to use a general term. Here are some examples:

extra clothes
-or-
a change of clothes (God’s Word)
-or-
shirt (Good News Bible)

second: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as second is literally “two.” For example, the Revised Standard Version says:

two tunics

General Comment on 6:8–9

In Greek, 6:8b–9 is indirect speech. For example, the NET Bible says:

8aHe instructed them 8bto take nothing for the journey except a staff—8cno bread, no bag, no money in their belts—and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics.

Some English versions, like the New International Version, translate 6:8b–9 as direct speech. This is perhaps because 6:10–11 is direct speech. You should do whatever is more natural in your language.

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