Mark 6:9 - Exposition

But be shod with sandals . This is quite consistent with what St. Matthew says ( Matthew 10:9 ), that they were not to provide themselves with shoes ( μηδὲ ὑποδήματα ). According to St. Matthew, shoes are forbidden directly; according to St. Mark, they are forbidden by implication, where he says that they were to be shod with sandals. Shoes are here forbidden which cover the whole foot, not sandals which only protect the soles of the feet lest they should be injured by the rocky ground. The soil of Judaea was rocky and rough, and the climate hot. The sandals therefore protected the soles of the feet, and yet, being open above, kept the feet more cool, and therefore fit for the journey. It is worthy of our notice that, after our Lord's ascension, we find St. Peter using sandals when the angel, who delivered him out of prison, said to him ( Acts 12:8 ), "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals."