#1. The main purpose of the swords was to fulfill the prophecy of Jesus being numbered with the transgressors (See: Luke 22:37).
#2. The disciples technically did not obey this instruction in the moment. They did not each sell their garment for them to each have a sword, but they brought forth only two swords (See: Luke 22:38).
#3. Jesus said the two swords were enough - which appears to go against his original instruction for them to each have a sword (Luke 22:38). We know our Lord does not contradict himself, and so the purpose of these swords was to of course shortly fulfill prophecy.
#4. In Matthew 26:47-56, we learn the result of what happened involving the swords. No victory battle was won. No lesson of self defense using Violence was taught.
#5. In Matthew 26:47-56, we learn a lesson of Non-Violence involving the sword:
(a) Jesus rebukes Peter for chopping off Malchus’ ear (in using his sword) and say he that lives by the sword shall die by the sword.
(b) Jesus rebukes Peter for using his sword by telling him to put his sword back in its place.
(c) Jesus rebukes Peter for using his sword by telling him that
He could have asked the Father to send down twelve legions of angels to protect Him.
(d) Jesus undoes Peter’s damage by healing Malchus’ ear.
#6. Jesus said to buy a sword and He did not say to buy bow and arrows or a gun.
#7. If the “sell your coat and buy a sword instruction” of Luke 22:36 still applied to the disciples after the prophecy, and Jesus desired them to go out and still sell their coat or garments to buy a sword for each of themselves, then this would have to be with Non-Violence in mind because Jesus made it clear with Peter that he that lives by the sword shall die by the sword. So this means that the purpose of the sword would have to be for Non-Violent reasons. Meaning, they could use the sword to chop wood, cut meat, hunt, and keep the dangerous animal kingdom away; But not for violent purposes against man (As demonstrated by Jesus with Peter). So if we are to obey this instruction today, then take a sword into the forest with you to survive. Perhaps it could even be a gun (if you take the word sword as meaning to be any weapon), but this again would be for survival in the wilderness involving the animal kingdom and for you to eat, and it would not be in using self defense involving Violence.
#8. What is odd is that we see nowhere in the New Testament of any of the apostles following this instruction. The situation where we read about the apostles being beaten in Acts of the Apostles 5:40 seems unlikely if they were to each of them have swords so as to attack others if they were threatened. Such verses like 2 Corinthians 10:4 where Paul says that the weapons of their warfare are not carnal (physical) weapons does not make a whole lot of sense if indeed the apostle also relied upon physical weapons to fight at certain times. Throughout the New Testament we see Christians imprisoned and stoned. Again… no swords to be found. Even the early church fathers have made statements that taught Non-Violence (see
here) (just like Jesus and the apostles taught Non-Violence in the New Testament - see the verses
here).
#9. So if the disciples did not follow this instruction by Jesus in Luke 22:36, that means:
(a) The instruction in Luke 22:36 no longer applies anymore, or
(b) Jesus was referring to using the sword only for hunting, cutting meat, chopping wood, or surviving in the animal kingdom (Seeing Jesus rebuked Peter for picking up the sword for violent means), or
(c) Jesus was referring to how each one needs to buy a sword so as to turn it into a plowshare so as to honor the future Millennial reign mentioned in Isaiah 2:4. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” or
(d) Jesus was speaking entirely in spiritual terms in Luke 22:36 and yet He counted on His disciples misunderstanding Him so as to fulfill prophecy in being numbered with the transgressors. What is the spiritual meaning?
(1) Money bag = The disciples continuing to have spiritual treasure in Heaven by loving their neighbor, or the poor,
(2) Knapsack = The disciples continuing to have spiritual rest in Christ and His grace,
(3) Sell your coat or garment = Sell your old covenant way of thinking, and
(4) Buy a sword = Embrace or buy into the New Covenant Way or Teachings by the Spirit - or in our case - look to New Testament Scriptures, i.e. the sword of the Spirit).
Personally, I tend to lean heavily towards the last reason given (Although it’s not entirely clear according to Scripture; Meaning, we look through a glass darkly). What I do know for sure is that Jesus was not saying to buy weapons as a means to harm or kill others in self defense in Luke 22:36.
Anyways I hope this helps, and may God’s love shine upon you today.
