Two Swords: Luke 22:35-38
“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 fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38) They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”” Luke 22:35-38
This is a difficult text. Jesus was signifying that changes were coming. Whereas they previously went out to minister without money belts, it was time to bring provisions for their journeys.
Whereas they had no thought of safety while traveling with Jesus, things were about to change. Harsh persecution and danger were about to meet them. Things were about to change from favor and acceptance to hatred and rejection.
Some use Jesus in this text mentioning a sword as a pretext for self defense. The argument has some weight for mere self defense, but not for revolt, insurrection or revolution against government. Luke 22:21 and Matthew 26:51-56 destroys any such argument. According to verse 53, Jesus trusted in His Father for ultimate protection.
So why the two swords? I confess, this is a confusing text. I put forward two possibilities.
First, as already hinted, change was coming. Favor was about to turn to opposition. Easy was about to become difficult. They were about to launch into the good fight of faith against the prince of darkness.
As mentioned in Ephesians 6:17, they were about the discover the importance of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Being skilled with the sword of the Word was a new phase of ministry for them. While the Living Word was with them in person, He totally had that phase of ministry covered. That was about to change abruptly.
Second, the sword in the Bible is always a picture of justice. An example is found in Romans 13:3-4. In this text Paul made the case that human government bears the power of the sword to administer Justice.
So in Luke 22:35-38, I see Jesus making the case that His kingdom was the standard for truth and Justice. As KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, He alone sits in the judgement seat of Justice. From His mouth comes a sharp sword. See the picture of Christ in Revelation 19:11-16. Notice the sharp sword coming from His mouth.
His was going forth to taste judgement for human sin. In the process He would be taking up the sword of Justice. His death was about to defeat the power of darkness.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 makes it clear that our battle is not in the physical realm. We might walk and live in physical bodies, but the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh or the physical realm. They are mighty through God in the spiritual realm.
Though Peter briefly used the sword in the confrontation with the mob, Jesus never touched the physical sword. Instead, He ministered healing and remained in total control in the Spirit. He told Peter to put down his sword.
What was happening? Peter took up the wrong sword. He was ready for a fight. He nearly destroyed Christianity by turning it into a bloody revolt at its most important hour. Jesus had to go to the cross to redeem humanity.
Beware that you wrestle in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Love and truth are stronger weapons than swords and guns. Peter slept instead of watching with Jesus in prayer. His peace was coming from the wrong source. The sword by his side was a false hope. Jesus was sharpening a very different sword as He prayed in the Garden.
This episode with Peter was the last time recorded in the Bible that Christian put hands on a physical sword in an attempt to defend the cause of God. Instead, they became mighty in Spirit and witnessed profound signs and wonders. They were also willing to suffer for the gospel. As modeled by Jesus, they became skilled with a different kind of sword.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“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 fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38) They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”” Luke 22:35-38
This is a difficult text. Jesus was signifying that changes were coming. Whereas they previously went out to minister without money belts, it was time to bring provisions for their journeys.
Whereas they had no thought of safety while traveling with Jesus, things were about to change. Harsh persecution and danger were about to meet them. Things were about to change from favor and acceptance to hatred and rejection.
Some use Jesus in this text mentioning a sword as a pretext for self defense. The argument has some weight for mere self defense, but not for revolt, insurrection or revolution against government. Luke 22:21 and Matthew 26:51-56 destroys any such argument. According to verse 53, Jesus trusted in His Father for ultimate protection.
So why the two swords? I confess, this is a confusing text. I put forward two possibilities.
First, as already hinted, change was coming. Favor was about to turn to opposition. Easy was about to become difficult. They were about to launch into the good fight of faith against the prince of darkness.
As mentioned in Ephesians 6:17, they were about the discover the importance of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Being skilled with the sword of the Word was a new phase of ministry for them. While the Living Word was with them in person, He totally had that phase of ministry covered. That was about to change abruptly.
Second, the sword in the Bible is always a picture of justice. An example is found in Romans 13:3-4. In this text Paul made the case that human government bears the power of the sword to administer Justice.
So in Luke 22:35-38, I see Jesus making the case that His kingdom was the standard for truth and Justice. As KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, He alone sits in the judgement seat of Justice. From His mouth comes a sharp sword. See the picture of Christ in Revelation 19:11-16. Notice the sharp sword coming from His mouth.
His was going forth to taste judgement for human sin. In the process He would be taking up the sword of Justice. His death was about to defeat the power of darkness.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 makes it clear that our battle is not in the physical realm. We might walk and live in physical bodies, but the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh or the physical realm. They are mighty through God in the spiritual realm.
Though Peter briefly used the sword in the confrontation with the mob, Jesus never touched the physical sword. Instead, He ministered healing and remained in total control in the Spirit. He told Peter to put down his sword.
What was happening? Peter took up the wrong sword. He was ready for a fight. He nearly destroyed Christianity by turning it into a bloody revolt at its most important hour. Jesus had to go to the cross to redeem humanity.
Beware that you wrestle in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Love and truth are stronger weapons than swords and guns. Peter slept instead of watching with Jesus in prayer. His peace was coming from the wrong source. The sword by his side was a false hope. Jesus was sharpening a very different sword as He prayed in the Garden.
This episode with Peter was the last time recorded in the Bible that Christian put hands on a physical sword in an attempt to defend the cause of God. Instead, they became mighty in Spirit and witnessed profound signs and wonders. They were also willing to suffer for the gospel. As modeled by Jesus, they became skilled with a different kind of sword.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
