He
called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
Mark 6:7-11
Mark 6 [4.] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.” He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them. He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
Mark 6 [7.] He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse, but to wear sandals, and not put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, as you depart from there, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Assuredly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
Mark 6 [12.] They went out and preached that people should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick, and healed them. King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the prophets.” But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.
Meaning:
Mark 6:7-11 marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. After being rejected in Nazareth, Jesus does not shrink back but multiplies his work. He sends out the twelve apostles in pairs, gives them authority over evil spirits, and tells them to travel light, depending on God and on the hospitality of those who welcome them. This first mission was a training ground for the worldwide mission the apostles would later lead.
- Sent Out Two by Two
When Jesus first appointed the twelve, it was “that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14-15). Now the time for sending has come. They go in pairs. Jewish law required two witnesses to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15), so two messengers gave credible testimony. Pairs also offered companionship, protection and encouragement: “Two are better than one” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Later Jesus sent out seventy others in pairs (Luke 10:1-2), and the early church followed the pattern with Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas.
Jesus gave them his own authority over unclean spirits. They went not as freelance preachers but as his official representatives, carrying his message and his power.
- Travelling Light
The instructions about luggage are striking. The apostles could take a staff for walking and wear sandals, but no bread, no wallet and no money in their belts, and not a second tunic. The “wallet” was a traveller’s bag for provisions, sometimes used by wandering philosophers to collect gifts. Money was carried as coins tucked into the folds of the belt. A spare tunic was useful for sleeping outdoors on cold nights.
By travelling without these, the twelve would depend entirely on God and on the hospitality of those who received the message. Matthew and Luke record slightly different wording about the staff; Mark’s point is the same: take only the bare essentials and go quickly. The principle that “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18) meant that those who heard the gospel would support those who brought it (1 Corinthians 9:14).
- Staying and Leaving
In the Middle East, hospitality to travellers was a sacred duty. Jesus told the apostles to stay in the first house that welcomed them and not to move around looking for better food or lodging. Contentment and gratitude would mark their visit.
If a town refused to receive or hear them, they were to “shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them.” Devout Jews shook off the dust of Gentile lands when returning to Israel. Applying this to a Jewish town was a solemn warning that by rejecting God’s messengers it had placed itself outside God’s people. Paul and Barnabas did exactly this at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:51).
- Worse Than Sodom
Sodom and Gomorrah were the Old Testament’s great example of wickedness destroyed by God. Jesus says it will be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for a town that rejects his message. Greater light brings greater responsibility. Hearing the gospel and refusing it is more serious than never hearing at all.
The Significance of Mark 6:7-11
- Every Believer Is Sent
The mission of the twelve continues in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). We are sent as Jesus’ representatives, with his message and his authority, and we work best in partnership with others.
- Trust and Simplicity
Jesus still calls his followers to trust God for provision, to hold possessions lightly and to be content. “My God will supply every need of yours” (Philippians 4:19). When people reject the message, we are not responsible for their response, only for faithful witness.
Cross-References:
Luke 10:2: Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest. Jesus sent out more workers in pairs because the harvest was great.
Deuteronomy 19:15: "At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established." Sending the apostles in pairs gave their testimony legal weight.
Acts 13:51: "But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium." Paul and Barnabas obeyed Jesus’ instruction when they were rejected.
Matthew 10:16: "Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." In Matthew’s account of the same mission Jesus warns of the dangers ahead.
Conclusion: Mark 6:7-11 shows Jesus responding to rejection by sending out more messengers. The twelve went in pairs, with his authority, travelling light and trusting God for every need. Their mission reminds believers today that we are sent people, called to share the good news with simplicity, courage and dependence on God, leaving the response of our hearers in his hands.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible