Let Him Sell His Garment, And Buy A Sword
A visitor to our site inquired about the meaning of Luke 22:35-38. There, we read:
And He said to them, 'When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?' So they said, 'Nothing.' Then He said to them, 'But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end.' So they said, 'Lord, look, here are two swords.' And He said to them, 'It is enough.'
I can certainly see how this text might cause some confusion. Especially as we consider the events recorded from Luke 22:49-51, where Jesus heals the severed ear of the servant of the high priest, after Peter had cut his ear off (cf. John 18:10). Peter acted without authority, asking whether to strike or not (v 49), but not waiting for Jesus' response. His response was clear when he restored Malchus' ear.
We can understand Peter's zealous defence of the Lord. Had he not been told by Jesus just minutes before to bring a sword? Why then, having used it is the apostle rebuked:
Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" (John 18:11)Did Jesus change His mind? Had He initially thought to mount a defence, but then in the moment decided against it? Or could it be that Peter and the other apostles misunderstood what Jesus was saying to them?
If Jesus' words in Luke 22:35-38 were a command for His disciples to prepare for a fight that night, it was given much too late. They were minutes away from the mob led by Judas. There was no time for the disciples to go exchange their coats for swords.
The disciples took a quick inventory of what was on hand and declared, "Lord, look, here are two swords." But what would two swords accomplish against a mob with several swords and clubs? Surely two swords was not a sufficient fulfillment of His instruction. And yet, He declared, "It is enough."
When Jesus cautioned His disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees," they "reasoned among themselves, saying, 'It is because we have taken no bread.'" He rebuked their lack of faith and understanding, and explained that He warned them about the teaching of the religious leaders (Matthew 16:1-12). This was one of several times when Jesus' disciples failed to comphrehend His teachings.
“...could it be that Peter and the other apostles misunderstood what Jesus was saying to them?”
In Luke 22:35-38, we come upon another such occasion. Jesus' disciples did not understand what He was revealing to them. His words, "It is enough," is not a confirmation that two swords would be sufficient, but rather a dismissal of the subject, for it was time to go. Though they did not understand yet, they would in time. It would be interesting to know the timing of our text and that which is recorded on the same evening in John's gospel:
I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:12-13)
He had introduced the thought, but they were not yet ready to understand it. After the Spirit would come, they would be fully equipped and then know what the Lord had revealed to them.
So, what was He talking about? If He wasn't telling them to buy swords and fight, what was He saying? He contrasts the relative ease and peace they have enjoyed with the trying times which were ahead. He'd been warning about such already (Luke 12:11; 21:12), and indeed, these things came to pass, as He said (Acts 5:40; 12:1-4; 21:27-26:32; etc.). Their former ministry was local, and their needs were met along the way. Now, they would go to the ends of the earth, and must prepare themselves to do so. The sword was an allegory, not literal. Difficult times were ahead. They needed to arm themselves; not with a physical weapon, but with that which is far greater - faith! A previouc admonition had been given:
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)He didn't want them to bear arms, but to be alert, be wise, be cautious. Know that there is danger, and prepare yourselves to endure and overcome.
A beaten and bruise Paul exhorted the saints to continue in the faith, saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22). May we be prepared to do so also.
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Answering The Atheist
Complaint:
Who gave the law of Moses? Was it God, Exodus 19:20; 20:22 or angels, Galatians 3:19? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
That's a great question! Let's consider what the Scriptures say.
Exodus 19:20 clearly tells us that the LORD was at Mount Sinai with Moses, and Exodus 20:22 reveals that God had spoken with His people from there. However, neither text says that God exclusively was there, with no other heavenly beings. He was there, He spoke, but is there more?
As pointed out by the questioner, Galatians 3:19 says that the law "...was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator." The mediator spoken of is Moses (Exodus 20:19; Deuteronomy 5:5). Likewise, Acts 7:53 says that Israel had "...received the law by the direction of angels...", and Hebrews 2:2 refers to the old law as that which had been "...spoken through angels..."
Evidently, there were angels (Gr. 
, lit. messengers) involved in the delivery of the Old Testament law. As interesting as that is, it does not negate what Exodus 19:20; 20:22 say. God was at Mount Sinai with Moses, and He spoke to the people from there.
Several texts, both Old and New Testament picture the angels of God participating in His work. Job 1:6 and 2:1 speak of a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD. The context would indicate that these were angelic beings. In 2 Kings 6:16-17, the LORD revealed to Elisha's servant the host of angels which surrounded them. Hebrews 12:22 comforts the children of God, for we
...have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels
The law also spoke of the presence of the angels of God with Him, as "myriads of holy ones" (Deuteronomy 33:2). And specifically about Sinai, the Psalmist records:
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; the Lord is among them as in Sinai, in the Holy Place. (Psalm 68:17)
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.