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12 Disciples Sent
8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.
As Cynics? - We are above the community
Better are parallels to Cynic philosophers, which have been the subject of recent studies (see especially the work of F. Gerald Downing). Cynicism as a philosophy can be traced to Diogenes (his name is related to the Greek word for “dog” [a third declension noun, κύων, with the stem (found in other forms) κυν-]), who wrote to his father, Hicetas:
Do not be upset, Father, that I am called a dog [Cynic (κύων)] and put on a double, coarse cloak [τρίβωνα διπλοῦν], carry a bag [πήραν] over my shoulders, and have a staff [ῥάβδον] in my hand. It is not worthwhile getting distressed over such matters, but you should rather be glad that your son is satisfied with little, while being free from popular opinion, to which all, Greeks and barbarians alike, are subservient.
Note that the “bag” (πήραν), i.e., “leather pouch,” and “staff” (ῥάβδον), i.e., “rod,” employ the same Greek terms as in Mk 6:8. Similar too are the references to a double body covering (τριβῶνα διπλοῦν), as well as to not being enslaved to the opinions of others. But note also the contrast, especially to Jesus’ refusal to allow a “leather pouch” or food “bag” (πήραν). Cynics were notorious for their self-sufficiency (see especially the end of the quotation above), and Jesus’ commands tend in exactly the opposite direction, i.e., toward community. Cynics were also known for their shamelessness, not for their proclamation of the coming of the gracious reign and rule of God.
As Essenes? - We are a closed community
1. According to Josephus’ descriptions of the Essenes, men of this sect traveled with nothing at all (οὐδέν … ὅλως) except arms (ἔνοπλοι) against bandits, and they were received into one another’s houses. Those receiving such travelers were, however, of the same sect and not the objects of the preaching and ministry of the travelers.
As Free Slaves! - We are a growing community.
3. Still better are parallels found within the OT. Joel Marcus observes that Jesus’ injunctions focus not upon what the apostles should bring with them on their mission, but upon what they should not take along. In this, Marcus says, parallels to the exodus are striking:
Mark’s Injunctions (6:8–9)
Exodus Event
a staff/rod
eating with a staff in hand (Ex 12:11)
no bread
manna provided daily (Ex 16:4–36)
belt with no money
girded and ready to flee (Ex 12:11)
sandals on their feet
sandals on their feet (Ex 12:11; Deut 29:4 [ET 29:5])
single tunic
single garment (Deut 8:4; 29:4 [ET 29:5])
This seems to confirm the disciples as the beginning of and foundation for the restored people of God and helps to support the new exodus theme of the latter chapters of Isaiah, which are a strong influence on the Gospel of Mark.
And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.