This Article: (3 Pages)
- 1. Luke 22:36 Peace & Taking the... Sword
- 2. Fate of those who take the sword
- 3. Taking the sword: The future
1) Luke 22:36 Peace & Taking the Sword
The disciples of Christ have a serious challenge when it comes to determining their attitude to war. Yahshua has left us with statements that not only have two sides, but are also double edged. He told his disciples,
But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:36)
It is quite clear. Yahshua is telling his followers to buy a sword and fight. However, Yahshua's statement regarding carrying weapons is located in a specific context and is designed to make us think rather than give a simple answer. For when Peter does use a sword on the night Yahshua was betrayed, he says to Peter,
“all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword”. Mat. 26:51
That Yahshua expounded the radical principle of loving one's enemies has been well established. He makes no claims that one's enemies will love one in return. He indicates, rather, that by being his follower one will have an increase in enmity. Matthew (10:34) writes that Yahshua said early in the ministry to the disciples:
Don't think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn't come to send peace, but a sword.
In an environment where he has developed enemies due to challenging statements and they carry swords, what is Yahshua's advice? At the last supper Luke (22:35-38) records a conversation:
He (Yahshua) said unto them, “When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing?”
And they said, “Nothing.”
Then said he unto them, “But now, he that has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that has no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 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.”
And they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.”
And he said unto them, “It is enough.”
The advice is to buy a sword. What was Yahshua thinking? Yahshua knows he is about to be killed that night and that his miraculous power is not available to the disciples. Previously, in the ministry the power of Yahweh had protected them and they had no need of anything. Now, for a few days there was no power at all. John (16:7) records Yahshua saying frankly:
It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Intercessor will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Yahshua said that the power personified as 'the intercessor' (also 'comforter', 'counsellor' or 'helper') will be sent. This did happen at Pentecost (Acts 2:4-17). It is recorded that from the last supper to the time of Pentecost the disciples had no extraordinary powers. At the last supper they are given advice to carry swords. However, Yahshua's point may not be that they should carry swords, rather, he is warning them in language as blunt as he knows how that events are about to become nasty, so nasty their lives are in danger. That the danger is sensed is evidenced by the fact there are actually two swords already amongst those gathered. Peter must have taken what was said seriously, for he ends up carrying and using one of the swords. It is to be noted that the circumstances that Yahshua warned the disciples of actually happened that night. The advice may have no relevance to followers at any other time, except as historical information. They do, however, give us Yahshua's opinion. He had no problem with his disciples carrying or even buying swords, at that time. Yahshua implies there may be a time for taking a sword and fighting.
However, at that time when Yahshua is reckoned 'amongst the transgressors', when Peter does take up the sword, he is reprimanded by Yahshua.
The four gospels together give a detailed account of what Jesus said at the time he is taken by the officers.
John18:3-5 : Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, comes there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
Jesus went forth, and said unto them, “Whom seek ye?”
They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus said unto them, “I am he.”
And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Then asked he them again, “Whom seek ye?”
And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:”
Luke 22:48-53 But Jesus said unto him, “Judas, betray thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, “Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”
John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Luke 22:48-53 And Jesus answered and said, “Suffer ye thus far.” And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Matthew 26:51-54 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. Think thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
John 18:11 The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?”
Luke 22:48-53 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? 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.”
From the four accounts we have a fairly complete picture of what happened on that night. Despite knowing the crowd had come with the intent of killing him and having endured great stress with no sleep the night before, Yahshua is calm, thinking on his feet. An armed and militant multitude with weapons featuring prominently, sought Yahshua. When Yahshua is identified they all fall back and the situation becomes more ordered. The disciples, recognise the situation as the one Yahshua warned them of, and despite being outnumbered, ask if they are to use their swords. At this point Yahshua is seized by a group, most likely including Malchus. Peter uses his sword. He is obviously not an expert swordsman for he only takes off an ear. It must have been enough for them to let go, for Yahshua is free to carry out a conversation. Firstly, from Luke's record he answers, “Suffer ye thus far” or “Let be until this”, which seems to indicate they are not to act until some future event, which most likely is Yahshua commanding some space to heal the ear, as he then proceeds to heal the ear. However, it could also equally restrain the disciples from using their swords as it inadvertently answers their question. He then turns to Peter and says the words only recorded by Matthew.
Yahshua gives this thought, almost as if a discovery, to Peter as a reason for not using his sword, that those that take the sword will perish with it. This is not enough of a reason for Peter though and Yahshua explains that this is his choice so the scriptures are be fulfilled, by pointing out that he has access to deliverance and he shows that he must submit to arrest by force.
Yahshua does not tell Peter to never use a sword, or tell him he is wrong for using the sword, rather he tells him the fate of those who do take up swords. On what basis does Yahshua make this claim?
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