Did Jesus Really Say Buy SWORDS?

Edged blades as weapons were commonplace in the era of Jesus. The sword was a vital part of the soldier's equipment.

Jesus referred more than once to the sword. A striking moment is connected with Jesus sending out his disciples to represent him in the land. He told them that they were to go "softly" and accept what they were given. If they were rejected, then they were rejected and were to move on. His message was not universally welcome nor was Jesus universally loved. So he said:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword (Matthew 10:34 NRSVUE). There would be resistance and division. (There is division and  resistance, even amongst those who bear the correct label.)

Considerably later, Jesus spoke about purchasing edged blades (ie, swords). They might be weapons - for defence? It sounds like arms dealing! Luke reports this "sword" conversation on the night of the "Last Supper", when Jesus had gathered his band together in Jerusalem for the Passover observance. Here it is:

Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Nothing,” they answered.

He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’[a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied (Luke 22:35-38 NIV).

The betrayal was under way and Jesus had just previously been speaking to Peter about the very tough times threatening just ahead. Peter, like others, maintained he was "solid". Then we have the above. So yes, Jesus DID say it!

Clearly Jesus was saying a turning point had been reached, even though there were some hours yet to run. This was hard stuff for a band of followers who had joyfully followed their apparent king-to-be on his triumphant (servant) entry to the city not so long before. So, they grasp there is to be physical danger - they must need weapons?  That must be what Jesus was saying?

Surely not. Can you imagine the cloak-less follower going forth wielding a sword in the name of Jesus? Jesus' words struck home but they could not yet discern the truth in them.

So, literally, buy swords? We already have two, they said. "That's enough" said Jesus. Two swords for 11 followers? This "direction" is part of the warning of change and the reality of threat ahead.

"That's enough".

Consider this translation of Luke 22:38, which I think makes the point clear:

The disciples said, “Lord, here are two swords!” “Enough of that!” Jesus replied (CEV).

I do not know exactly what understanding the disciples took with them into the following events of that night but the arrest of Jesus in the garden does indicate their minds, or some of them, were not aligned with Jesus' intention. Not yet. 

Did they get it wrong?

Now, it is of course true, that the weapon is not the problem but it is the person wielding the weapon.

In the garden arrest scene, a blade was produced and used offensively in defence - all the Gospels agree. We can see it in these parallel but independent accounts.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.	When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.	Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.	But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.	Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Matthew 26:50-52  NIV	Luke 22:49-51  NIV	John 18: 10-11  NIV

Note the instinctive but futile armed resistance the followers (companions) wanted to offer. So soon after that, once it was clear Jesus was being taken, they broke and fled - all of them. It's a wonder there was no reaction to Peter's sword use. Or was there - did a response give impetus to seeing the 11 flee away?

The word used for the weapon conveys a smaller, sharp blade, probably easily concealed. This is not the Roman army weapon illustrated above. However, the word is consistently translated as "sword". Matthew (and Mark) say that the arresting party were carrying clubs and swords (same word). John had said the arresting party were carrying "arms" or "weapons" (using a particular inclusive word).

Jesus surely rejected the use of force. He did not send forth warmongers. He refused to fight or to have others fight.  Historically and tragically, Jesus' name has been invoked in just the opposite way.

What does this say to a power-wielder who wants to blast people and things into oblivion? Jesus does not address the rulers of this present age and gives no implied endorsement. Jesus addressed his disciples. He addresses his followers who are true followers. It is for the disciple to serve Jesus in life to be best of their ability in whatever place they may be. The state is not regulated by God's word but by its own legislation.

We can see what Jesus said in the "Sermon on the Mount", as recorded in Matthew, chapters 5-7. For example:

Blessed are the merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

    for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

    for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:7-10 NIV). 

For us who follow, the apostle Paul spelled it out: So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[a] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[b] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4: 25-32 NLT). Not easy? Impossible, without God's strength. God dwells within by God's Holy Spirit.

May you be blessed by God

Allen Hampton

 Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Image courtesy of Holylandphotos.org. The representation of Roman armour, including the sword, is on a limestone block located in the theatre at Perga, next to seating. (Has it been moved from an original location?)

The British Museum has a surviving example of a Roman sword, found in the Thames, image their copyright!  https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1883-0407-1