Discover what sandals were like in Jesus’ day and how this sheds light on the references to sandals in Scripture.
Hand-made First Century Sandal replicas. These sandals are made in the same way as the ones discovered by archeologists in the Dead Sea region, using three layers of leather for the sole and straps for the ankle and thong.
While our leather expert was creating the first sample he suddenly discovered that based on the pattern of the straps and the researchers’ descriptions, that these straps were most likely adjustable in two ways. It was an amazing moment when he brought us a sample, we tried it on, and he showed us what it was like, as John the Baptist said in reference to Christ, to “untie the thong of his sandal.” Suddenly that verse became alive in a way that it never had before.
These sandals also reveal how dirty people’s feet would have been after a day of walking on dusty roads. Thus, the need for removing the sandals and washing the feet as one entered a home.
Your purchase includes two sandals (in case you want to wear them to demonstrate).
All of the sandals are approximately size 10.5.
These are not intended for daily wear but for demonstration purposes only.
Keep reading below for more details about first century sandals.
For your convenience we have also listed below all the Scripture reference to sandals and as you read through this list you’ll see how many ways you can use these sandals as a visual teaching tool—I.e., removing sandals in God’s presence; the Israelites wandered for forty years but their sandals never wore out; John the Baptist saying that he was not worthy to “untie the thong of his sandals”; the story of the prodigal son; Jesus washing the disciples’ feet; etc.
More about First Century Sandals
Near the Dead Sea archaeologists have discovered leather-made first-century Jewish sandals. The area of the Dead Sea is dry and is one of the only places where leather artifacts could be preserved in such good condition.
Sandal such as these were discovered in Masada, where the Jews fled and were sieged after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. A discovery was also made in the Cave of Letters. These sandals date from different centuries which give a good indication that this is the kind of sandal worn in Jesus’ time.
One sandal measured 8 5/8 inches inches length and 2 5/8 inches in width. This might sound small but we often forget that the average height of a first century Judean was around 5 feet 5 inches tall.
In Jesus’ time men often made their own sandals and those for their family. We know that Jesus made a whip when He ran the merchants out of the temple. He probably also made His own shoes. This is just an assumption but it fits with the culture of the day.
The Israel Antiquities Authority released the following description: “These soles are made of three layers of leather secured with leather bindings. Through slits situated near the heel, tabs entered the upper sole. The upper part of each tab was pierced by two vertical slits through which the main strap was threaded. The two ends of the main strap were then threaded into a slit on the upper part of the sandal, near the toe, where they were tied, holding the foot onto the sole.”*
Bible References for Sandals
Genesis 14:23
that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Exodus 3:5
Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Exodus 12:11
Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the Lord’s Passover.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Deuteronomy 25:9
then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the sight of the elders, and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face; and she shall declare, ‘Thus it is done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.’In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Deuteronomy 25:10
In Israel his name shall be called, ‘The house of him whose sandal is removed.’In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Deuteronomy 29:5
I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Joshua 5:15
The captain of the Lord’s host said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Joshua 9:5
and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Joshua 9:13
These wineskins which we filled were new, and behold, they are torn; and these our clothes and our sandals are worn out because of the very long journey.”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Ruth 4:7
Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another; and this was the manner of attestation in Israel.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Ruth 4:8
So the closest relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” And he removed his sandal.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 Kings 2:5
“Now you also know what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner, and to Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed; he also shed the blood of war in peace. And he put the blood of war on his belt about his waist, and on his sandals on his feet.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
2 Chronicles 28:15
Then the men who were designated by name arose, took the captives, and they clothed all their naked ones from the spoil; and they gave them clothes and sandals, fed them and gave them drink, anointed them with oil, led all their feeble ones on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers; then they returned to Samaria.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Song of Solomon 7:1
Admiration by the Bridegroom
“How beautiful are your feet in sandals, O prince’s daughter! The curves of your hips are like jewels, The work of the hands of an artist.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Isaiah 5:27
No one in it is weary or stumbles, None slumbers or sleeps; Nor is the belt at its waist undone, Nor its sandal strap broken.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Ezekiel 16:10
I also clothed you with embroidered cloth and put sandals of porpoise skin on your feet; and I wrapped you with fine linen and covered you with silk.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Amos 2:6
Thus says the Lord, “For three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment, Because they sell the righteous for money And the needy for a pair of sandals.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Amos 8:6
So as to buy the helpless for money And the needy for a pair of sandals, And that we may sell the refuse of the wheat?”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 3:11
“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 10:10
or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Mark 1:7
And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Mark 6:9
but to wear sandals; and He added, “Do not put on two tunics.”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Luke 3:16
John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Luke 15:22
But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Luke 22:35
And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
John 1:27
It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Acts 7:33
But the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Acts 12:8
And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Acts 13:25
And while John was completing his course, he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, one is coming after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
*https://www.ibiblio.org/expo/deadsea.scrolls.exhibit/Community/leather.html
