Rickey Shive

September 19, 2023

(Last Accessed Date)

Take up a Sword?
The Son of man, God the Son, Emanuel, Christ the Messiah are just a few of the names
of Jesus found in the Bible. Perhaps often overlooked, His contemporaries often referred to Him
as “teacher” or a related term such as “rabbi!” This title was certainly well deserved. Whether
by parable or discourse, Jesus was a masterful teacher. I must admit, however, at times Jesus
spoke of things which are deep, profound and dif cult to understand.
There’s a short discourse, recorded only by Luke, that serves to make my point. It’s late in
Jesus’s ministry. His appointment with the cross looms. Knowing his disciples still lack a true
understanding of His kingdom, He has stepped up efforts to try and prepare them for what lies
ahead! Luke records this short discourse between Jesus and His apostles:
[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." [36] And He said to them, "But
now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword
is to sell his coat and buy one. [37] For I tell you that this which is written must be ful lled in Me,
'And HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS'; for that which refers to Me has its
ful llment." [38] They said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is
enough."
Luke 22:35-38

Sell your Coat!

While not all of this text is dif cult, there are a few points that require some thought.
Speci cally, it would appear that Jesus advised His apostles to purchase a sword, perhaps for self
defense. Look closely at the text again: …whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. I
must admit, on the surface this sure seems to be the case! But wait a minute!

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 Harmony and Context

There are a set of “Rules for Proper Bible Interpretation” that have been around for
centuries and are widely accepted by religious academia as the standard. One very important
rule centers around immediate context. It is careless and reckless to extract a passage, such as the
one under our consideration, and teach a speci c point without considering the context.
Furthermore, it’s a well-established certitude that all of Scripture is in complete harmony. For
Jesus to teach a particular point in Scripture and elsewhere teach just the opposite would be out
of character and confusing.
Regarding our text, some interpret the passage outside of the application of these rules and
principles, often with a personal bias slanted toward their own, predetermined belief.
Speci cally, this passage is used to support the idea that Jesus Himself taught the need for one to
bear arms for the purpose of self defense. Is this what Jesus is teaching? Let’s look rst at the
context. To establish context, we need to look beyond our immediate text.
A general point of context is established in verse 24 of Luke 22: And there arose also a
dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.
The disciples were debating among one another which of them was considered to be the
greatest. This debate is far from new. It has been going on for a great while. It centered around
their misunderstanding of the nature of the kingdom Jesus is about to establish. They believe
Jesus will establish an earthly kingdom, defeat Rome and re-establish Jewish sovereignty. For
sometime now they have be having this debate, trying to align themselves in positions of
authority within this kingdom. So you see, this preoccupation with position and power was a
long-standing problem with His disciples! Jesus is addressing it here for the last time before His
death.
Our passage at hand must be understood within this context. Thus, in keeping with the
context, some thus teach that, Jesus knows He will soon leave them and return to the Father.
The responsibility of furthering the Gospel will then initially fall on their shoulders. This time,
they will take the Gospel message to the entire world, including Gentiles. They will face
hardships of every sort. They will have to protect themselves against enemies. That is why Jesus
said, “whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.” This, of course, did not mean that

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they were to go out and wage war. It did mean, however, that they would face situations in which
it would be necessary for them to protect themselves.

Harmony and Viability

This certainly sounds good and is arguably somewhat in keeping with the context. There
are a few problems, however - harmony and viability. Let’s rst discuss viability. If Jesus is
indeed instructing His disciples to secure arms for self defense, why instruct them to secure a
máchaira? This is the Greek word chosen by Jesus and most often translated as sword. However,
according to the NASB Greek Lexicon, the term máchaira speaks of a large knife, used for killing
animals and cutting up esh; a small sword, as distinguished from a large sword. If Jesus’s words
are purposed to arm His disciples, securing what seems to be a hunting knife doesn’t pass the
viability test! Furthermore, when Jesus’s disciples reply, "Lord, look, here are two swords" then
He said to them, "It is enough."
Two swords, even if they were large swords of war, would scarcely arm this band of twelve!
Incidentally, they too use the Greek máchaira. Hence, Jesus’s reply, “It is enough” must be
referring to something other than an agreement that two “swords” is enough to protect them!
Finally, arming His disciples is not in harmony with other passages nor with Jesus’s teaching
and character. Within our stated text Jesus reminds us that in the previous sending of the
disciples, they were sent out with practically nothing, including a sword for protection! On the
contrary, Jesus gave them assurance of His presence and protection (cf. 10:3, 18-19). So, now it
would almost seem as though Jesus were telling these men that they are on their own, and that
they will have to handle their protection themselves. This is out of character and harmony!
Notice too that within our stated text Jesus quotes Isaiah: “For I tell you that this which is
written must be ful lled in Me, 'And HE WAS NUMBERED WITH TRANSGRESSORS'; for
that which refers to Me has its ful llment."
Jesus actually quotes just a portion of Isaiah 53:12 which in its entirety reads: Therefore, I
will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He
poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore
the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.

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 Why did Jesus quote this passage? Yes, it’s a Messianic prophecy, but how does it t into
this “arm the apostles” motif ? Let’s step back and take a little scriptural inventory!

Scriptural Inventory

So, context is established with Luke’s statement regarding a dispute among the disciples.
Later is the chapter, Jesus reminds his disciples of being sent out with nothing. He then,
seemingly, instructs them to sell their coat and purchase a sword. Next, He quotes a section of
Isaiah 53:12 and speaks of its ful llment. Finally, when His disciples present two swords, Jesus
says, “It is enough.” So it would seem we’ve come full circle! What is Jesus saying here?
So, Jesus makes this “sell your coat and buy a sword” comment and then informs them that,
“It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be
ful lled in me.” In other words, Jesus is saying “what is written about me is reaching its
ful llment!” Of course, the prophecy will soon be ful lled when Jesus is cruci ed between two
criminals (transgressors).
In taking our scriptural inventory, we omitted two key words: “But now!” Jesus reminded
the disciples of their past experiences when sent out to spread the message regarding the
Messiah. He then says, “But now…” (verse 36). Now, things have changed. The words that
follow are intended to focus the disciples’ attention on the change which was occurring in the
minds of the people of Israel toward Him. Early in His ministry, there wasn’t a focused effort to
destroy Him. The rulers were cautiously curious about Jesus. Times have “but now” changed!
The rulers are seeking Him and He will soon be arrested and cruci ed between two
transgressors. Jesus’s disciples simply didn’t understand this, certainly as it relates to the
establishment of the kingdom. Rather, they are still arguing about who will be the greatest in the
kingdom! The message Jesus is trying to convey to His disciples is that they need not occupy
themselves with thoughts of an earthly kingdom nor position and power within. They must
prepare for the same rejection and persecution which the Messiah was prophesied to experience.
Thus, are Jesus’ words regarding a sword intended to be taken literally? Certainly not! Jesus
rebuked His disciples for seeking to use the sword to prevent His arrest. Nowhere in the Book of
Acts or the epistles do we ever see the use of force advocated in proclaiming or defending our
faith! What then did He mean?

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 Jesus’s words are spoken metaphorically to prepare His disciples for the perils of ministry
after His cruci xion and ascension! The entire section of text is a “Then,” “But now” contrast.
Then they were sent out with nothing and for the most part welcomed in. Then they were
lacking nothing. But now, things have changed! Isaiah predicted it! When Jesus is gone, they will
be charged with carrying on, spreading the message! However, they won’t be as openly received
as before. Many Jews will reject the Good News! This is what Jesus is trying to covey to His
disciples using metaphorical language about buying a sword.
Sadly, once again His disciples do not understand. They think He is speaking literally and
thus present two swords to Jesus. Realizing He is getting no where with them. He says “It is
enough!” In other words, enough of this conversation, it’s clear you (disciples) don’t understand!

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