For all those that take the sword will perish by the sword

[thyrodandstaff]

thyrodandstaff

Jesus elsewhere acknowledges the legitimate use of force, telling the apostles, “let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one” (Luke 22:36).

However, in the notes of the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition Ignatius Press Catholic Study Bible New Testament I got from Catholic Answers it says: Luke 22:38…Although Jesus spoke of swords metaphorically in 22:36 (see above) to warn of the coming spiritual battle, some of the disciples took his words literally. Jesus will clarify his meaning in a subsequent episode…22:49-51, which is “…they said, Lord shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. No more of this! (Jesus said)…”. And in Matthew 26:52 Jesus says at that point, “Put your sword back in it place for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

Although the RSV-CE notes seem to indicate that Jesus taught to never draw a weapon, I know that just war is a theory of the Church. So should we say that Matthew 26:52 is not a complete prohibition against aggression but is a bit of hyperbole like when Jesus says “call no man father” but didn’t mean that as a strict statement? Basically could we paraphrase Jesus as saying, "leave the sword in the scabbard to the extent that you can because those who attack with it often end up killed by their enemy?

Furthermore an online version of the Douay-Rheims says:

[50] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
[51] But Jesus answering, said:Suffer ye thus far. And when he had touched his ear, he healed him.

“Suffer ye thus far” seems different than “no more of this”. Suffer ye thus far might indicate that Jesus didn’t want the apostles to fight to prevent him being taken but if it went farther, then they might defend themselves if attacked or in other situations.

 

[St_Francis]

I always thought of this as not rebelling against authority when they are acting in the legitimate scope of their authority.

 

[JimmytheButcher]

thyrodandstaff

Jesus elsewhere acknowledges the legitimate use of force, telling the apostles, “let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one” (Luke 22:36).

However, in the notes of the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition Ignatius Press Catholic Study Bible New Testament I got from Catholic Answers it says: Luke 22:38…Although Jesus spoke of swords metaphorically in 22:36 (see above) to warn of the coming spiritual battle, some of the disciples took his words literally. Jesus will clarify his meaning in a subsequent episode…22:49-51, which is “…they said, Lord shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. No more of this! (Jesus said)…”. And in Matthew 26:52 Jesus says at that point, “Put your sword back in it place for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

Although the RSV-CE notes seem to indicate that Jesus taught to never draw a weapon, I know that just war is a theory of the Church. So should we say that Matthew 26:52 is not a complete prohibition against aggression but is a bit of hyperbole like when Jesus says “call no man father” but didn’t mean that as a strict statement? Basically could we paraphrase Jesus as saying, "leave the sword in the scabbard to the extent that you can because those who attack with it often end up killed by their enemy?

Furthermore an online version of the Douay-Rheims says:

[50] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
[51] But Jesus answering, said:Suffer ye thus far. And when he had touched his ear, he healed him.

“Suffer ye thus far” seems different than “no more of this”. Suffer ye thus far might indicate that Jesus didn’t want the apostles to fight to prevent him being taken but if it went farther, then they might defend themselves if attacked or in other situations.

If it helps… allow me an illumination. Too often we get caught-up in the surface of the sea and do not dwell on the corals.

1. Christ touching the mans ear is an ordination ritual wear a priest places lamb-blood from the Temple behind the ear of the servant. It is a typological action of illustrating a continuation of the priesthood, the order of Melchesidech, and also displaying Himself, proving Himself as the High Priest, and the man who brought the servant was the last high priest of the kind.
2. Living by the sword and dying by the sword is living according to the Gospel will bring about suffering of the Gospel. If one follows Christ expect to die like Him.