Matthew 26:52

πάντες γὰρ κ.τ.λ. To this reason for non-resistance Christ added another, ‘The cup which my Father has given me shall I not drink it?’ (John.)

λαβόντες μάχαιραν, i.e. against rightful authority. There may be some force in λαβόντες, ‘take’ the sword, handle it of their own pleasure and impulse; λαβὴ is a sword-hilt. Cp. οὐ γὰρ εἰκῆ τὴν μάχαιραν φορεῖ, Romans 13:4, where φορεῖν the legitimate wearing of the sword may be contrasted with λαβεῖν. The truth of this saying was exemplified by the slaughter of nearly a million and a half of Jews, who ‘took the sword’ against Rome A.D. 67–70.

ἐν μαχαίρῃ. For instrumental ἐν see note, ch. Matthew 3:11.