LUKE 22:35-38

Q: Near the end of Luke's narrative on the Last Supper, there is this interesting dialogue between Jesus and the Eleven about the need for the disciples to now have a sword, even to sell a garment if need be to buy a one! I am sure this is not intended to support the idea of a new political kingdom asserting change by violence, so I am wondering what meaning Luke intended for us to take from this passage? Was having a sword somehow related to fulfilling the prophecy of "being numbered among the transgressors"? What is the importance of this and why does say that two swords are enough?

This is one of the “dark sayings” of Jesus, indicating that its meaning is not transparently clear. There are three basic types of interpretation:

Literal

1. One opinion is that even two swords are enough for the state to accuse Jesus of leading a rebellion and for the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12 to be fulfilled. (Jacques Ellul, Anarchy and Bible Knowledge Commentary). Since Peter did use his sword at Jesus' arrest, that counts Jesus and his followers as being transgressors.

2. The older critical view said that Jesus was a Zealot who expected to institute his earthly kingdom in the near future – an idea almost completely discredited today.

3. The immediate context was one of the two sending-outs of Jesus (Luke 9:2 or 10:3-7). The contrast is that people were hospitable then but will be reluctant to help the apostles in the future since there will be fierce opposition against them from the authorities. A dagger or short sword was part of a normal traveler's equipment and used to defend against wild animals and robbers. Even the peace-loving Essenes traveled with swords. However, the text really has nothing to say on the subject of whether armed resistance is justified in some cases. (Hard Sayings of the Bible) This is essentially a call to "prepare yourselves."

Symbolic

This verse was interpreted symbolically by Pope Boniface VIII in a 1302 papal bull which used it to justify the position of the pope as both supreme political and spiritual leader.

This is obviously not to be taken literally since Jesus forbids the use of the sword to spread or defend the Gospel in Luke 22:49ff, repeated in Revelation 13:10 where it is combined with a quote from Jeremiah 43:11.

Figurative

Marshall: “The saying can be regarded only as grimly ironical, expressing the intensity of the opposition which Jesus and the disciples will experience, endangering their very lives.”

Anchor Bible: Not material weapons, but spiritual weapons -- the sword of the Spirit.

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery: the mouth of the Servant of the Lord will be like a sharp sword (Isaiah 49:2).

Dictionary of NT Theology, I, 729: The apostles are to have the courage of sword-bearers, men ready to risk lives for a cause.

Geldenhuys, New International Commentary on the NT: “Jesus declares in a striking figure, as His followers in the struggle of life, be just as determined and whole-hearted as a fighting man who gives up everything, even his garment, as long as he only possesses a sword to continue the struggle with...The only way to remain firm in such a world is to be spiritually equipped with His power and armed with the sword of His Word.”

What then are we to make of Jesus' final response “It is enough”? “These words are both a formula of dismissal (as in Deuteronomy 3:26 LXX: “Enough from you! Never speak to me of this matter again!”) and an utterance of the deepest sadness” since Jesus' words have once again been misunderstood by his closest followers. (Geldenhuys)

The Anchor Bible says that these words “throw a brilliant light on the tragedy of the Ministry...The grim irony is the utterance of a broken heart.”