The New Testament contains various references to the articles of dress worn by those who played a leading part in the unfoldment of early Christianity, while a clear understanding of these references often throws light upon passages which might otherwise be obscure.
Following a custom not uncommon among those who lived in the outlying districts of Palestine, John the Baptist wore a rough camel-haired, or camel-skin, cloak together with a leather loincloth, or girdle (Matt. 3:4). In contrast with such types of clothing we are expressly informed that Jesus wore a "coat"—or more strictly, as Moffatt suggests, a "tunic"—"without seam, woven from the top throughout" (John 19:23). Generally such tunics were made of two pieces of cloth sewed together, and since, in describing the vestments of a high priest, Josephus goes out of his way to announce with some pride that the priestly robe was woven in one piece, it is clear that it would be most unusual for one of Jesus' station to possess such a garment.
It would appear, moreover, that when the woman who sought healing touched "the hem of his garment" (Matt. 9:20) the reference was not so much to a "hem" in the modern sense as to the ceremonial fringe or tassel worn in accord with the instructions laid down in Numbers 15:38, 39 and hence popularly regarded as peculiarly sacred.
