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Luke 22:35–38
“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” (v. 36).
With the crucifixion of our Lord soon to occur, Jesus took the opportunity at His last meal with His disciples to prepare them for what lay ahead. He instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, explained how authority in the church should be exercised, and revealed His commitment to pray for Peter and, by extension, all His people (Luke 22:7–34). In today’s passage, we find further instructions from our Savior regarding what His people are to do after His death and resurrection.
Christ’s teaching in Luke 22:35–38 assumes that the disciples would be facing a much different situation after the crucifixion than before it. We see this in how He contrasts His words at the Last Supper with what He said to them when He sent the seventy-two ahead of Him to preach and to heal as He made His way to Jerusalem. The disciples noted that when Jesus had sent them out previously, they did not lack anything even though they did not take a moneybag or any other provisions. This was because they received hospitality from at least some of the people they visited (22:35; see 10:1–12). From that point on, however, the disciples were not to count on others to provide for them but had to carry supplies with them. They would even need to buy a sword if they did not have one (22:36). Jesus was picturing an environment of hostility for His disciples after His return to the Father, the reality of their becoming objects of the hatred of this world because of their faithfulness to the Lord (see 21:17). They had to expect it and get prepared for it. The same is true for us today. Let us know that many people will hate us simply for being Christians, so that we are not surprised when we experience the world’s disapproval. Of course, this hatred fell on Jesus first, a truth that He alluded to when He stated that He was about to be numbered with the transgressors, with the enemies of Israel, in His crucifixion.
Importantly, Jesus’ command in 22:36 that His followers take swords with them is a difficult text. Many commentators believe that He did not mean this literally but spoke metaphorically to underscore the danger that they would be facing. It is difficult, to be sure, but there are two truths that we should note. First, God does not command us to spread the gospel by force. Second, the sixth commandment, in forbidding murder, commands us to take appropriate measures to preserve life (Ex. 20:13). This includes using force to defend the innocent when they cannot otherwise be protected.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
We don’t spread the gospel by the sword, and Jesus commands us to turn the other cheek (Matt. 5:38–42). This does not mean, however, that Christians may never defend themselves and their interests. Understanding when to defend our rights can be difficult, but let us also remember our obligations to defend innocent people, especially when they are those under our care.
For further study
- Exodus 22:2–3
- Nehemiah 4
- John 15:18
- 1 Peter 3:15–16
The bible in a year
- Ezekiel 4–6
- Hebrews 9