Luke 22:36 (Jesus speaking) 36 "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Key words: SELL & BUY
Matthew Henry, 1710 said "At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves."
It is also written: Ephesians 6:12
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
I think Matthew Henry is wrong on this one. Jesus protected His followers while He was alive. When He was killed, his followers lost their divine protection. Jesus knew they would be persecuted and it seems to me that He was implying that it's okay to defend yourselves when someone is trying to kill you. I know that real followers of Jesus will suffer. The Apostles all died horribly. But those of us that were born AFTER Jesus ascended into Heaven are to walk by faith, not by sight. We weren't there when Jesus was alive and walking the earth. We didn't hear Him speak or see His miracles. Dying for Jesus is one thing. Being a door mat for every infidel/pagan/wicked reprobate to walk on is another thing.
Spiritual swords are for spiritual battles and metal swords are for worldly battles. Did the Jews go to war holding only their holy scrolls or did they use swords and shields of iron??
I agree with you and Chris it is not spiritual swords. They would not need physical swords, the Holy Spirit would lead and protect them until their mission was fulfilled and as you said, most all of them, just like Jesus told them, they were beaten, put in prison, and were killed. The actual reason for Jesus asking them to buy swords was to fulfill a prophecy. He told them in,
Luke 22:37 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.
( Isaiah 53:12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Hello Dgjot. I believe you're correct in understanding that Jesus wasn't speaking of spiritual swords but actual swords. If He was speaking of spiritual swords, then His Words to His disciples would be meaningless as they were clearly instructed to purchase swords. Jesus would have been inferring that in their future ministry (after they received Holy Ghost power), their life of faith would be different to what they enjoyed when walking with Him in the present.
When He sent them out to minister to the people, did they lack anything?, He asked. Here was a special intervention & provision given to the twelve in their exercise of faith & power to deliver the burdened & oppressed. They lacked nothing; but now that special grace would be removed (i.e. they would have to exercise faith in different ways: they had to work for a living, they had to confront their opponents with the Power & Grace of Christ, they had to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance, etc.).
So, to purchase swords would not be for their protection in the ministry of the Gospel, but I think, for being equipped in their journey into the unknown farther reaches ("the uttermost parts of the Earth"), where defence against robbers, wild beasts, etc. would require one to have protection. And then we should ask, "Did any of the apostles after Pentecost ever carry swords?" We're not told that they ever did, nor did they ever use one, but I would suspect that they didn't carry swords, rather the Sword of the Spirit. But as the apostles willingly suffered & died for the love of their Saviour, so must we when confronted by the opponents of the Gospel & not offer resistance. But should we venture out amongst the thieves & wild beasts in the world, then being armed maybe the prudent thing to do.
Matthew Henry, 1710 said "At the time the apostles understood Christ to mean real weapons, but he spake only of the weapons of the spiritual warfare. The sword of the Spirit is the sword with which the disciples of Christ must furnish themselves."
It is also written: Ephesians 6:12
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
I think Matthew Henry is wrong on this one. Jesus protected His followers while He was alive. When He was killed, his followers lost their divine protection. Jesus knew they would be persecuted and it seems to me that He was implying that it's okay to defend yourselves when someone is trying to kill you. I know that real followers of Jesus will suffer. The Apostles all died horribly. But those of us that were born AFTER Jesus ascended into Heaven are to walk by faith, not by sight. We weren't there when Jesus was alive and walking the earth. We didn't hear Him speak or see His miracles. Dying for Jesus is one thing. Being a door mat for every infidel/pagan/wicked reprobate to walk on is another thing.
Spiritual swords are for spiritual battles and metal swords are for worldly battles. Did the Jews go to war holding only their holy scrolls or did they use swords and shields of iron??
I agree with you and Chris it is not spiritual swords. They would not need physical swords, the Holy Spirit would lead and protect them until their mission was fulfilled and as you said, most all of them, just like Jesus told them, they were beaten, put in prison, and were killed. The actual reason for Jesus asking them to buy swords was to fulfill a prophecy. He told them in,
Luke 22:37 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.
( Isaiah 53:12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
God bless,
RLW
When He sent them out to minister to the people, did they lack anything?, He asked. Here was a special intervention & provision given to the twelve in their exercise of faith & power to deliver the burdened & oppressed. They lacked nothing; but now that special grace would be removed (i.e. they would have to exercise faith in different ways: they had to work for a living, they had to confront their opponents with the Power & Grace of Christ, they had to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance, etc.).
So, to purchase swords would not be for their protection in the ministry of the Gospel, but I think, for being equipped in their journey into the unknown farther reaches ("the uttermost parts of the Earth"), where defence against robbers, wild beasts, etc. would require one to have protection. And then we should ask, "Did any of the apostles after Pentecost ever carry swords?" We're not told that they ever did, nor did they ever use one, but I would suspect that they didn't carry swords, rather the Sword of the Spirit. But as the apostles willingly suffered & died for the love of their Saviour, so must we when confronted by the opponents of the Gospel & not offer resistance. But should we venture out amongst the thieves & wild beasts in the world, then being armed maybe the prudent thing to do.
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