What did Jesus mean when he told his disciples to buy a sword? Part 1 of 2 (what it does not mean)
Luke 22-36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
This verse has been the cause of much debate in the Christian world. What did Jesus mean when he told his disciples to buy a sword. The vast and by vast I mean the overwhelming majority of Christians fall into one of 2 interpretations of the meaning.
1) Jesus LITERALLY meant for the disciples to buy a LITERAL sword.
2) Jesus needed the disciples to carry swords so as to fulfill a prophecy of him, that he would be numbered with the transgressors.
Neither of these 2 explanations felt right so I decided to look into the true meaning of what Jesus was trying to say when he told his disciples to buy a sword.
Before I give my answer as to what I believe is the true meaning behind the command of Jesus which i will do in part 2, I will explain why the 2 most popular explanations do not in fact explain the statement.
Firstly let’s look at the literal interpretation, that Jesus literally meant for his disciples to buy literal physical swords. The reason most people give for this command is that Jesus was telling his disciples that they must be ready to protect themselves from the coming persecution. Jesus was no longer going to be physically with them and so they needed to arm themselves for means of self defense. Many Christian gun activists use this passage to support their right to bear arms. Jesus told us to arm and protect ourselves. The fact that Jesus told them to sell their coats, a very important item only goes to show the emphasis Jesus put on the importance of doing such a thing as protecting ourselves.
However there are some major problems with this interpretation of this verse.
It goes against the teachings of Jesus. The command to buy a sword is a far cry from the Jesus who stated turn the other cheek
Matthew 5-38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
And Love your enemies
Matthew 5- 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
In fact Peter actually used one of the swords that was declared during the arrest of Jesus,
Luke 22-47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? 49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? 50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. 51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Notice that they asked Jesus first if they should smite with the sword before Peter actually did however there is no command from Jesus to do so. Peter did it on his own accord.
Jesus however told Peter to put away the sword, even telling him those that draw the sword will die by the sword.
Matthew 26-51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
We also get told this in revelation
Revelation 13- . 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Jesus also stated that if he wanted to be defended then he could simply call on his father who would send legions of angels to protect him.
Matthew 26 – 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Now some people add to this and say that Jesus was letting us know that there is a time and place for self defense and this was not one of them but that we must be ready when that time and place accur. After all Jesus said ‘’Put up again thy sword into his place’’ He didnt say to throw away the sword. This is nothing more than assumption, non biblically supported assumption.
Remember Jesus stated to Peter that all those who draw the sword will die by the sword
Matthew 26- 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Jesus did not say all those that do not know the correct time to draw the sword will die by the sword.
Jesus told his disciples that they would be afflicted and hated
Matthew 24-9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Jesus did not say when they do this you can protect yourself with a sword.
In order for this to be biblically supported assumption then we would need to see at least one incidents of at least one of the disciples using a sword in self defense. This is something that we NEVER see. There is not even ONE Biblically recorded incident of any disciple using a sword in an act of self defense. There is simply no Biblical evidence to support the claim the disciples took the command of Jesus literally and went out, bought swords and armed themselves for purposes of self defense. In fact quite the opposite can be seen. When Stephen was being stoned to death rather than drawing his sword and attempting to stop the attack he prayed to Jesus
Acts 7-59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Stephen even prayed for the ones stoning him.
Acts 7- 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Paul received major persecution during his ministry while he preached Jesus.
2 corinthians 11-23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25th Rice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
We are never told that Paul used violence or a sword in self defence.
Notice that Jesus said to his disciples that ‘’and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’’ yet the disciples replied luke 22-38 ‘’And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords.’’ Jesus reply was ‘’ It is enough.’’ Now if Jesus meant for EVERYONE who doesn’t have a sword to buy one and therefore advocating everyone arming themselves then 2 swords would not in fact have been enough making Jesus wrong in either his command for everyone to buy a sword or that 2 swords were enough for 11 people, there were 11 disciples that Jesus was making the statement to. This would have meant that 9 of the disciples would not have in fact had swords and would have been required to sell their coats in order to buy them.
The interpretation is based solely on the one verse being taken literally which simply fails when we actually analyze the interpretation in detail and understanding.
Then we have the second interpretation. Jesus needed them to carry swords so that he could be numbered with the transgressors.
This interpretation is based on Jesus own words immediately after he had told them to buy swords in verse 36
He then states in verse 37 that it is in order to fulfill a prophecy regarding himself
Luke 22- 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
This prophecy comes from Isaiah 53-12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
The disciples understand what he means and so they say here are 2 swords and Jesus says that’s enough.
Luke 22- 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
This interpretation makes a lot more sense than the first and it’s not difficult to understand why without understanding the true meaning of the statement,this interpretation would seem to be the most truthful and logical. Jesus said 2 swords were enough as to fulfill the prophecy. Transgressors being in the plural and so 2 swords would be enough.
It could easily be read as if Jesus was saying buy swords because I need you to be classed as transgressors as to accomplish what was written about me and so 2 swords are enough.
We still have the problem that Jesus said he without a sword sell his coat and buy one. We still have only 2 swords but 11 disciples. Jesus couldn’t have really meant for the ones without swords to sell their coat and buy one.
Jesus being numbered with the transgressors was fulfilled when he was hung on the cross to die. Jesus was crucified with a thief either side of him
Matthew 27-38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
Jesus had already stated to the chief priests and temple captain’s you come for me like I am a thief.
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Jesus did not require his disciples to be transgressors and neither were they called such. If they really had been transgressors they would have been arrested also. It was on the cross that Jesus was numbered with the transgressors.
While this interpretation makes more sense and is more consistent with the teachings of Jesus it still does not resolve the problem of the statement for the other 9 to sell their coats to buy swords and literally has to be taken at less than face value. The whole statement regarding selling the coat and buying a sword completely rendered irrelevant and meaningless with the presentation of the 2 swords. There really is no meaning to the statement and a rather pointless one at that from Jesus. It also doesn’t actually take into account Jesus on the cross numbered with the thieves.
Again when actually analyzed this interpretation doesn’t do what it seems it might. It doesn’t not in fact answer the question why did Jesus tell his disciples to sell their coates and buy swords.