Luke 22:36

But now. The situation has changed. The period of popularity in Galilee had ended a year before (see on John 6:66). Henceforth as the disciples proclaimed the gospel they would encounter suspicion and enmity. They could not expect the gracious and generous hospitality they had formerly enjoyed. Persecution would often prove to be their lot (see on Matt. 10:16-28; John 16:33).

Sword. Gr. machaira. usually meaning a short Roman sword (see on ch. 2:35). Besides its usual meaning, machaira is used in the LXX to translate the Heb. ma’akeleth, “a slaughtering knife,” from the word ma’akal, “food.” Perhaps here the latter meaning, “slaughtering knife,” is meant.

Garment. Gr. himation, the “mantle,” or outer garment (see on Matt. 5:40).

Buy one. The apparently figurative language Jesus here uses has often been misunderstood. As the disciples went forth into a hostile world they often found themselves in circumstances in which, from a human viewpoint, weapons would have been most useful. But the entire account of the book of Acts records no instance in which any of the apostles used, or even carried, a weapon. We may be sure that had Christ intended them to do so, they would have. An hour or two later this very night, when Peter essayed to use a sword (see on Matt. 26:51-53), Jesus rebuked his action and made it clear that the Christian, like his Master, is not to rely on weapons for protection. The Christian is not to repel force with force (see on Matt. 5:39).

We do not defend the life-giving gospel by killing men for whom Christ died. The supreme evidence of Christian love is willingness to die for others (see John 15:13). The desire or intent to take the lives of those who may disagree with us is evidence of the spirit of Satan, who was “a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). Persecution is ever the work of the devil, and is perpetrated by men who have surrendered themselves to his control. The only weapon the Christian may feel free to use in his defense of the faith is the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17; see Heb. 4:12; see on Matt. 26:52). Thus, in view of Christ’s own teachings and of the NT record of apostolic methods of advancing the gospel, we conclude that Christ here speaks figuratively, warning the disciples of the persecution they and their converts were to suffer, not of the literal use of weapons of any kind.