From Luke's Gospel, chapter 22...
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
The Bible has a lot of sections that are puzzling (read Revelation lately?), but hearing Mr. Turn The Other Cheek suggest that it's time to buy a sword is in a class by itself.
There's any amount of commentary.
Some think it's heavy irony.
Some say that Jesus, knowing he was reckoned among transgressors, wanted to seal the deal by having the Apostles dress up as terrorists. (Presumably, two swords would be enough proof to convict Him.)
Many call this passage figurative, with swords as symbolic of the strength they'd need to endure the coming trials (remember, this scene takes place at the Last Supper).
There are problems with each of these interpretations.
Previously, Jesus had sent the Apostles out in pairs, with only the clothes they wore. But now, with His death imminent, He's telling them to take precautions. The purse bit is there, and it doesn't sound like irony.
As for lending credence to His criminal reputation, He wasn't arrested for leading an armed revolt. So was that suggestion an Oops on His part?
As for a figurative interpretation, this device was usually used in parables, and not in this kind of context.
But hold on...what about Turn The Other Cheek?
There are those who think He meant, turn the other cheek when struck, take one more blow, and then punch out your opponent.
Though it's tempting, and seems to go with doing two miles with someone when one has been demanded (two miles, not twenty), it doesn't seem consistent with His other teachings.
And cutting back across the aisle, He didn't tell the centurion whose servant He healed (and whose faith He highly braised) to find a job with Oxfam...as He advised the rich young man to do.
And then again,.He knew Peter had a sword at the Garden of Gethsemane (I mean, He's GOD, yeah?). He didn't tell Pete to leave it at home. He just said that it was not...or no longer...the time.
So I'm left puzzled.
What about you?
Just what kind of sidearm
do you think Jesus would carry?
A 44 to cause alarm,
homage to Dirty Harry?
He said go ye and sell a cloak
if you have got two
and buy a sword...was this a joke,
or was He quoted true?
It's really hard to reconcile
with Turn The Other Cheek,
but He didn't call for change in style
from the centurion who'd seek
his servant's healing and relief
based solely on his own belief.
Here's Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, with Pistol Packin' Mama
Sylvia doesn't need a gun. Her teeth do the job. Besides...no opposable thumbs!
I think a lot of thIs goes back to Ecclesiastes 3: "a time to kill, and a time to heal." My ESV Study Bible notes bring up the various interpretations you mentioned. It says His later rebuke of using swords in Gethsemane had to do with not trying to use physical force to resist His arrest, because that had to be. But perhaps He was allowing for swords for their own self-defense, as He knew they would be scattered and perhaps pursued after He was arrested.
ReplyDeleteIt also says that "Turn the other cheek" was more about the insult than the physical act and doesn't prohibit self-defense. Slapping someone back would only escalate things. But there are times, the notes say, that "Acting in love toward an attacker will often include steps to prevent him from taking further attacks". It says that's what turning the other cheek was. A backhanded slap on the right cheek was an insult. Turning the other cheek meant the person would have to use the other hand or cheek, which would be the way one would treat and equal. An interesting article on this is here: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-it-really-mean-to-turn-the-other-cheek.html
That word ' consistent' jumped out at me, Andrew. And all I could think of is Hebrews 13:8 - 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.'
ReplyDeleteIt has only been recently that I have even thought about the presence of the sword in the garden. I would be less surprised to find it in the possession of Simon the zealot!
ReplyDeleteLots of food for thought here, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm! Guess I need to o a little more homework!LC
ReplyDelete