Did Jesus come with the sword?

[Black_Ice]

How do christians explain the following verses:

Luke 12:51-53 “Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. For from now on, there will be five in one house 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 her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in- law.”

Matthew 10:34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword"

Thank you

 

[JeanneH]

How do christians explain the following verses:

Luke 12:51-53 “Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. For from now on, there will be five in one house 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 her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in- law.”

Matthew 10:34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword"

Thank you

Matt.10:34 Commentary from Haydock.

1. I came not to send, &c. That is, dissension and war, in order that the false peace of sinners may be destroyed, and that those who follow me, may differ in morals and affections from the followers of this world. The sword, therefore, is the gospel, which separates those parents who remain in infidelity, &c. &c. &c. (Menochius) — It must be observed, that the gospel does not necessarily of itself produce dissensions amongst men, but that Christ foresaw, from the depravity of man’s heart, that dissensions would follow the propagation of the gospel. The blame of this, however, does not attach to the gospel itself, since those who embrace it, after their conversion sought more than ever to keep peace with all men, even with their most bitter persecutors; whilst those who rejected the gospel, forgetting even the ties of kindred, persecuted even to death the followers of Christ. (Haydock) — Send peace, &c. Indeed before Christ became man, there was no sword upon the earth; that is, the spirit had not to fight with so much violence against the flesh; but when he became man, he shewed us what things were of the flesh, and what of the spirit, and taught us to set these two at variance, by renouncing always those of the flesh, which constantly endeavour to get master over us, and follow the dictates of the spirit. (Origen)

Luke 12:51-53

This is from a footnote from the NAB: Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom is a refining and purifying fire. His message that meets with acceptance or rejection will be a source of conflict and dissension even within families.

And we certainly see that going on today.

Hope this helps
Jeanne

PS I think that Jesus’ sword is his gospel and his gospel is a dividing force

 

[JJ59]

How do christians explain the following verses:

Luke 12:51-53 “Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. For from now on, there will be five in one house 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 her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in- law.”

Matthew 10:34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword"

Thank you

Hi, Black_Ice.

Obviously the “sword” Jesus brought was not a literal sword. He never used a sword, and preached a very non-violent message. So it’s definitely a metaphor.

The way I understand it, Jesus didn’t come to please everyone. (“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth.”) His message is radical, and will stir up much controversy and division. (“I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword”)

God bless,

 

[cubalibre]

The sword is a symbol of the Word of God. Jesus is the Word. Refer to the citations below which show how this symbolism is used in the old and new testament.

Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two edged sword: and his face was as the sun shineth in his power. Douay-Rheims Bible​

Isaiah 49:2 He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver.​

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.​

Revelation 2:16 'Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.​

Revelation 19:15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. (NASB ©1995)

 

[Black_Ice]

Interesting opinions. I would have never thought that sword could mean sword of the mouth. Thank you all.