<p>6:9 <em>But to go wearing sandals, and not to wear two coats</em>- See on :8; an allusion to Israel on Passover night. Adam Clarke claims: &quot;The sandal was originally a part of the woman&rsquo;s dress; ancient authors represent them as worn only by women&quot;. In this case the command to not wear shoes but sandals (Mt.) was significant. It was another part of the Lord's attempt to challenge gender stereotypes in the new community of people He was forming, where there was to be in that sense neither male nor female, slave nor free. And He may be directing their attention to Ps. 68:11 Heb. and LXX, where &quot;great was the company <em>of the women</em> who published&quot; the word of salvation.</p><p>At this point, Matthew records that they were commanded not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans (Mt. 10:5). Mark omits this because he was preaching to Gentiles. We cannot omit any part of the basic Gospel message; but we can present it in ways which are appropriate to our audience.</p>