Q and A

“I don’t understand why Jesus told His disciples to carry swords in Luke 22:36. I can’t imagine that He is advocating violence in spreading the gospel but I don’t know how to explain this passage apart from it. What does it mean?”

In Luke 22:35-38 we read, “And he said to them, ‘When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?’ They said, ‘Nothing.’ He said to them, ‘But now let the one who has a moneybag take it and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.’ And they said, ‘Look, Lord, here are two swords.’ And he said to them, ‘It is enough.’”

This event took place just moments before Gethsemane and only hours before Calvary. In a very real sense, everything was about to change for the disciples. Jesus hints at this coming change in reminding them of their limited commission from Luke 9:1-6. By and large they had been received favorably for everything they needed was supplied to them by those they preached to. They did not need to carry luggage, so to speak, for their needs would be supplied by the recipients of their message.

In Luke 22 Jesus informs them that their reception was about to change. They were not going to be received as favorably as before. In some instances they would be met by open hostility. Jesus emphasized this in speaking to them of acquiring swords. The questioner is correct in saying that she cannot imagine Christ advocating violence in spreading the gospel. Encouraging violence was the last thing on our Lord’s mind!

This becomes even more evident when we consider His response to their possession of two swords. He said those two swords were enough. Obviously two swords could not begin to protect twelve men. They misunderstood the Lord, as they so often did, and Jesus simply chose not to correct them at that time. When we consider that the apostles nowhere advocate or use physical violence in spreading the gospel, and even go so far as to emphasize that neither our weapons nor our warfare are of the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:3-4), we reach the indisputable conclusion that physical violence plays no part in the proclamation of the gospel.