#Tunic meaning skin#

According to the Suda, it was a type of inexpensive cloak, like a one-shoulder tunic. There was also the sisura (σισύρα), which according to Pollux was a tunic with sleeves of skins. Tunics might be dyed with bright colors, like red, purple, or green. In ancient Greece, a person's tunic was decorated at the hemline to represent the city-state in which he lived. Later Greek and Roman tunics were an evolution from the very similar chiton, chitoniskos, and exomis all of which can be considered versions of the garment. Tunics were also worn in ancient Greece, whence the Roman version was adopted. Being used by both Vikings and Normans, the garment continued as a general male garment into the Middle Ages, still being used in Norway as late as the 17th century. The construction was more elaborate than the earlier Graeco-Roman garment, with a tight-fitting neck with a split down the front for pulling it over the head, and gusset under the arms and inserted around the lower half to give a flaring skirt. Similar tunics were eventually taken up by the Romans, and continued to be used into the Byzantine period.Īfter the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the long-sleeved Celto-Germanic tunic continued to be worn. Such tunics are often found depicted on the various Roman monuments depicting victories over these peoples, and show the tunic as a simple pull-over construction reaching to the mid-thighs or to the knees. The various Celtic and Germanic peoples living in the colder Middle and Northern Europe wore long-sleeved tunics from as long back as pictorial evidence goes. Our ability to drive a car away from the mission field at the end of the day and shut the door to our own home makes life easier, but we need to be open to the times Jesus expects a closer and more dependent relationship.Germanic tunic of the 4th Century, A.D. Still, it should give us pause when we think about how intimately Jesus and the disciples came to know those to whom they ministered. And Western missionaries are used to a higher standard of support than, perhaps, a bed of hay in the barn and a single meal of bread. In some areas, hosting Christian missionaries is dangerous. The responsibility of hospitality is not as strong in European-based cultures.

This style of missions, to travel somewhere to preach and expect to be supported by those we preach to, is not common in today's world. Taking two would ensure sufficient warmth at night, but Jesus intends for them to stay in homes (Mark 6:10). It is what the soldiers threw lots for at the crucifixion (John 19:23).

#Tunic meaning skin#

The Greek root word translated 'tunic' is chiton and refers to an undergarment worn next to the skin under a cloak. Matthew says 'Acquire…no…two…sandals.' As with the tunics, Jesus tells the Twelve to wear a pair of sandals but not purchase or take an extra. In the parallel passage in Matthew 10:9–10, Jesus says 'Acquire…no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff…' Many speculations have been made about this, but the answer is in the wording. The comment about wearing sandals gives an opportunity for debate. They are not allowed to take food, money, or a bag to carry either (Mark 6:8). He has given them authority over sickness, demons, and even death (Matthew 10:8), but He has severely restricted what they can take with them. Jesus is sending out the Twelve, charged to carry out their first missions trip without Him.