Luke 22:35,36

LUKE—NOTE ON Luke 22:35 Earlier in his ministry, Jesus sent his disciples out with no moneybag (see Luke 9:3; Luke 10:4). moneybag... knapsack. Now, however, they will need extra provisions and supplies. let the one who has no sword... buy one. Many interpreters believe this means being armed spiritually to fight spiritual foes (compare Ephesians 6:10). According to this view: (1) in Luke 22:38 the disciples misunderstand Jesus’ command and produce literal swords; Jesus’ response that “It is enough” is a rebuke, as if he were saying, “Enough of this talk about swords”; (2) just a few minutes later Jesus will again prohibit the use of a literal sword (vv. Luke 22:49). Others take this as a command to have a literal sword for self-defense. According to this view: (1) the moneybag, knapsack, and cloak in this verse are literal, so the sword must be literal as well; (2) Jesus’ response that “It is enough” (v. Luke 22:38) actually approves the swords the disciples have as being enough, and his later rebuke in vv. Luke 22:49 only prohibits them from blocking his arrest and suffering, that is, from seeking to advance the kingdom of God by force; (3) the very fact that the disciples possess swords (v. Luke 22:38) suggests that Jesus has not prohibited them from carrying swords up to this point, and Jesus never prohibited self-defense (see note on Matt. 5:39). Both views have some merit.