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{{Bibleref2|Hebrews|4:12|ASV}} uses "two-edged sword" and "division" in a metaphorical and ideological way: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." In [[Gospel of John|John chapter one]] Jesus ''is'' "[[Book_of_John#Hymn_to_the_Word|the Word]]" of God.
{{Bibleref2|Hebrews|4:12|ASV}} uses "two-edged sword" and "division" in a metaphorical and ideological way: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." In [[Gospel of John|John chapter one]] Jesus ''is'' "[[Book_of_John#Hymn_to_the_Word|the Word]]" of God.


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After the "physical" sword of verse 34, the "metaphorical" sword of verse 35, 36, and 37 means the ideological division of a family:
{{quote|Do not think that I came to bring peace on Earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.({{bibleref2|Matthew|10:34–39|NASB}})}}
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In the [[Douay-Rheims Bible]], Gen. 22:6 says
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"And [Abraham] took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands ''fire and a sword''." That sword was not metaphorical, rather it was for slaying his son (although it wasn't used).
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The disciples had two swords. Peter carried one, and cut off an ear of a Roman apprehending Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. That was not a metaphorical sword either. (Jesus ordered Peter to withdraw and healed the ear.) Jesus' purpose (not yet fully understood by the disciples) was to make them all appear as criminals in order to fulfill prophesy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Arlandson|first=James Malcolm|title=A Brief Explanation of the Sword in Luke 22:36|url=http://www.wmtips.com/tools/info/?url=answering-islam.org|work=Answering Islam|quote=he would fulfill his mission to die, in a death that looked like one of a common criminal, just as Isaiah the prophet had predicted hundreds of years before (Is. 53:12).}}</ref>
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== The Lesser Commission ==
== The Lesser Commission ==

Revision as of 04:24, 12 January 2014

Casting out the money changers by Giotto, 14th century
James Tissot – The Merchants Chased from the Temple (Les vendeurs chassés du Temple) – Brooklyn Museum

"I came not to bring peace, but to bring a sword"" is one of Jesus' most controversial statements because its meaning has many interpretations. The immediate context is the entire verse of Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." More meaning is gleaned from greater context.

Matthew 10, including the controversial verse 34, is known as the Lesser Commission of Jesus. Jesus commissions his twelve disciples for the single, time-limited, task of healing and ministry upon all the regions of Israel. By comparison, in the Great Commission Jesus, from his resurrected form, says to all disciples "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always...".

Important context also includes other of Jesus' quotes (discussed below):

The images to the right depict Jesus in the act of what might be interpreted today as violence and property destruction, but arguably in a form of self defense. He disrupted a "robbery" he happened upon in his place (his spiritual Father's temple). The space was created for spiritual worship, not material exchanges, especially unholy ones. (Jesus was able to know the thoughts of people. See for example Matthew 12:25Template:Bibleverse with invalid book, and Luke 11:17Template:Bibleverse with invalid book.)

Jesus' effect was to bring division, but his ultimate objective was to bring joy. The Book of Kells has verse 34 "I came not [only] to bring peace, but joy".

Controversy surrounding the sword

The controversy is that Jesus seems to advocate physical violence by sword—a view that is rejected by the traditional, pacifist branches of Christianity. In the Christian faith, Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" mentioned in Isaiah 9:6, and they are taught in Romans 12:18 to " If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." But Luke 22:35–38 cements the controversy providing ample evidence that it is a physical sword:

And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing. And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. For I say unto you, that this which is written must be fulfilled in me, And he was reckoned with transgressors: for that which concerneth me hath fulfilment. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Yet the sword could be a metaphor for a Christian-kindled "ideological division":

I have come to cast fire upon the Earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism* to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father* against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. (Luke 12:49–53)

This division means interpersonal, ideological conflict, not physical conflict:

And as ye enter into the house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.(Matthew 10:14–10:16)

Apparently the disciple is taught to be either send peace or "let your peace return to you".

Hebrews 4:12 uses "two-edged sword" and "division" in a metaphorical and ideological way: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." In John chapter one Jesus is "the Word" of God.

After the "physical" sword of verse 34, the "metaphorical" sword of verse 35, 36, and 37 means the ideological division of a family:

Do not think that I came to bring peace on Earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.(Matthew 10:34–39)

Abraham carries a lit torch in his left hand and a sword in a belted scabbard while leading his heavily burdened son uphill as two onlookers and their donkey gawk.
Abraham carries fire, a sword, and unrevealed intentions for his son carrying a heavy load uphill.

In the Douay-Rheims Bible, Gen. 22:6 says "And [Abraham] took the wood for the holocaust, and laid it upon Isaac his son: and he himself carried in his hands fire and a sword." That sword was not metaphorical, rather it was for slaying his son (although it wasn't used).

The disciples had two swords. Peter carried one, and cut off an ear of a Roman apprehending Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. That was not a metaphorical sword either. (Jesus ordered Peter to withdraw and healed the ear.) Jesus' purpose (not yet fully understood by the disciples) was to make them all appear as criminals in order to fulfill prophesy.[1]

The Lesser Commission

In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus' Lesser Commission sends his disciples out to minister to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Starting in verse 13, Jesus then goes on to inform his disciples that they will not always be warmly received. He instructs them to depart from homes and cities that will not receive them. He then adds in verse 15, "Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city."

Jesus then warned his disciples that they would encounter violent resistance on their ministry. In verse 16 he is quoted as saying, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." In verse 21 Jesus is quoted as saying (KJV), "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." This is clearly an apocalyptic prediction, and related to Micah 7:6, but Jesus does not express his views on the matter, other than saying "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved" in verse 22. He then instructs his followers to flee to a different city when they are persecuted.

He then exhorts his disciples not to fear. He assures them that faithful proclamation of his message will have its rewards. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32–33, KJV) Immediately thereafter Jesus makes the comment in question, verse 34, saying that he came not to bring peace, but the sword, followed by a direct quote of Micah 7:6 in verse 35–36.

In the Greater Commission the situation is echoed again concerning Paul and Barnabas in Antioch

When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

The Book of Kells

The Book of Kells, a Celtic illuminated manuscript copy of the Gospels, uses the word "gaudium" meaning "joy" rather than "gladium," which means "sword" -- rendering the verse in translation: "I came not [only] to bring peace, but joy".[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Arlandson, James Malcolm. "A Brief Explanation of the Sword in Luke 22:36". Answering Islam. he would fulfill his mission to die, in a death that looked like one of a common criminal, just as Isaiah the prophet had predicted hundreds of years before (Is. 53:12).
  2. ^ Nathan, George Jean Nathan (1951). The American Mercury. p. 572. The compilers of the late seventh century manuscript, The Book of Kells, refused to adopt St. Jerome's phrase "I come not to bring peace but a sword." (" . . . non pacem sed gladium.")To them the phrase made no sense and they altered it ... {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Not peace, but a sword
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