Luke 22:36 is still used today to claim Jesus gave Christians a blanket command to arm themselves—for personal defense, and neighbor, or even to justify Christian participation in law enforcement (e.g., joining the police and military). But a closer, more informed look shows that this is not what Jesus ever meant.

The passage must be interpreted in context, with its meaning confined to that specific moment. The first thing to note is that Jesus is contrasting two periods of the disciples’ ministry. Earlier, in Luke 9 and 10, he sent them out with nothing—no money, no bag, no extra clothing—and God provided their every need. But now, on the night of his arrest, he tells them things are about to change.

Evil is coming.

The world is about to treat “the holy and righteous one” (Acts 3:14) as a criminal, the enemy of the State, and the Apostles will be caught up in that same treatment. Yet even in this moment, Jesus is not telling them to arm themselves in order to fight. When Peter tries to behead one of the soldiers and instead cuts off his ear, Jesus immediately rebukes Peter (according to Matthew’s version of the event in 26:52):

“Put your sword back in its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

If Jesus meant the disciples to use weapons to defend him—or to defend themselves—then he would not have rebuked Peter at all. He could simply have healed the wounded soldier and allowed the disciples to continue to protect him. But he didn’t. Jesus stopped the violence on the spot by saying:

“This is your hour and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53).

These words are unique to Luke’s account and imply that armed resistance belongs to the realm of supernatural evil (cf. Satan entering Judas at the beginning of the passion, Luke 22:3).

Why then did Jesus even mention swords? Because he himself said it was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12.

Luke 22:37 For I am telling you, this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: “He was considered among the criminals.” Indeed what is written about me is now being fulfilled.

Cp. Matthew 26:55 Then Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I was a criminal? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has happened to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” 

In effect what Jesus is saying:

“I am about to be treated like a criminal—and that means you will be counted among criminals too.”

And when the disciples eagerly pull out two literal swords, Jesus replies:

“It is enough.”

In other words, “enough of this.” And think about this: two swords for 11 disciples against an armed militia? That makes no sense if Jesus was preparing them for self-defense or his own. But it makes perfect sense if the swords are simply props to fulfill the prophecy from Isaiah.

This interpretation—this nonviolent reading of events—was the understanding of most Christians for at least the first 4 centuries of Church history. And for whatever it’s worth, this view is also affirmed by most modern-day mainstream biblical scholars today—Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant alike.

Because it simply fits everything else Jesus ever taught on this matter:

• “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)
• “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44)
• “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28)
• “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next.” (Matthew 10:23)
• “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” (Matthew 10:16)
• “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight.” (John 18:36)

The swords in Luke 22 were not instructions for Christians to arm themselves. They were to fulfill prophecy, not weapons meant for lethal self-defense, let laone warfare.

Now, Christians can and do debate other issues like the so-called Just War Theory. There is room in the larger biblical conversation for that. But what we cannot do—what we must not continue to do—is take Luke 22:36 out of context and make it say something Jesus himself immediately contradicted. Again, the command to “buy a sword” is not an invitation for Christians to arm themselves or join any law enforcement. It is part of Jesus’ journey toward the cross, where he will conquer not by killing His enemies, but by praying for his enemies with his last dying breath!

“Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

That is the gospel of peace Christians are commanded to preach in order to enter his coming kingdom of God on a restored earth.