Luke 22:38

KJV

And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, behold {G2400}, here {G5602} are two {G1417} swords {G3162}. And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, It is {G2076} enough {G2425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said, “Look, Lord, there are two swords right here!” “Enough!” he replied.

Berean Standard Bible

So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.

American Standard Version

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:38 captures a profoundly significant yet often-misunderstood exchange between Jesus and His disciples in the Upper Room, immediately following the institution of the Lord's Supper and His instructions concerning the changing nature of their mission. When the disciples, interpreting Jesus' words about acquiring swords literally, present two physical blades, His terse response, "It is enough," serves not as an endorsement of armed resistance, but as a definitive closure to a discussion rooted in their earthly understanding, subtly redirecting their focus towards the spiritual reality of His impending suffering and the true nature of His kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within Jesus' final discourse to His disciples before His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. It follows the institution of the [Lord's Supper](/luke/22-14-20 "Luke 22:14-20 - The Last Supper") and a series of profound teachings on humility, service, and the new covenant. Crucially, it directly follows Jesus' instruction in [Luke 22:36](/luke/22-36 "Luke 22:36 - Jesus instructs disciples to buy swords") that those who previously went out without purse, bag, or sandals should now acquire them, and even sell their cloak to buy a sword. This instruction, given in the shadow of His imminent betrayal and suffering, is immediately preceded by Jesus' declaration in [Luke 22:37](/luke/22-37 "Luke 22:37 - Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12") that the prophecy of Him being "numbered with the transgressors" must be fulfilled. The disciples' literal interpretation of the "sword" command and Jesus' enigmatic reply set the stage for the dramatic events in the [Garden of Gethsemane](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"), where Peter would indeed draw a sword in an attempt to defend Jesus, only to be rebuked ([Luke 22:49-51](/luke/22-49-51 "Luke 22:49-51 - Peter strikes the high priest's servant")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea was under Roman occupation, a period marked by simmering Jewish nationalism and fervent messianic expectations. Many Jews anticipated a political Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and restore an independent Israel, often through military might. The Zealots, for instance, were a prominent Jewish political movement committed to armed rebellion against Rome. The disciples, like many of their contemporaries, likely harbored these nationalistic hopes, struggling to reconcile Jesus' spiritual teachings with their ingrained understanding of a conquering king. Their readiness to produce swords reflects a common cultural expectation that a leader would be protected by armed followers, and a deep-seated desire for liberation from oppression, which they mistakenly believed would be achieved through conventional warfare.
* **Key Themes:** This brief interaction contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **Disciples' Persistent Misunderstanding** of Jesus' mission and the spiritual nature of His kingdom. Despite years of teaching, they continued to interpret His words and actions through a worldly lens, expecting a political revolution rather than a spiritual one. Secondly, it underscores the **Nature of Christ's Kingdom**, emphasizing that it is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), and is not advanced by physical force or violence, but by self-sacrifice, love, and spiritual truth. Thirdly, it touches upon the theme of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, as Jesus' earlier statement about being "numbered with the transgressors" ([Luke 22:37](/luke/22-37 "Luke 22:37 - Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12")) implicitly connects to the presence of swords, suggesting that even this seemingly mundane detail played a role in the unfolding divine plan, perhaps by making Jesus appear as a leader of a rebellious movement, thus fulfilling the prophecy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This primary verb (G2036) signifies "to speak or say (by word or writing)." In this context, it highlights the verbal exchange between Jesus and His disciples. The use of this verb emphasizes the direct communication, underscoring the disciples' literal response to Jesus' earlier instruction and Jesus' concise, authoritative reply.
* **swords (Greek, _máchaira'_):** This noun (G3162) refers to a "knife" or "dirk," and figuratively, "war" or "judicial punishment." The disciples' immediate production of two *máchairai* reveals their literal interpretation of Jesus' command to "buy swords" ([Luke 22:36](/luke/22-36 "Luke 22:36 - Jesus instructs disciples to buy swords")). It signifies their readiness for physical defense or offensive action, contrasting sharply with the spiritual battle Jesus was about to wage.
* **enough (Greek, _hikanós'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to arrive," this adjective (G2425) denotes something "competent," "ample," or "fit." In Jesus' statement, "It is enough" (KJV), the Greek *hikanon estin* is crucial. It does not imply quantitative sufficiency for armed conflict but rather a qualitative sufficiency: "That is sufficient [for the purpose]," or "That's enough of this discussion." It serves as a definitive closure, halting further misguided conversation about physical defense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords.":** This clause reveals the disciples' immediate and literal response to Jesus' earlier instruction to acquire swords. Their address, "Lord," indicates respect, but their action demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of His spiritual intent. The presentation of "two swords" suggests a readiness for physical confrontation, reflecting their prevailing expectation of a worldly, militant Messiah.
* **"And he said unto them, "It is enough.":"** Jesus' terse reply is pivotal. Far from endorsing armed resistance or affirming the adequacy of two swords for a physical battle against Roman forces, this phrase (Greek: *Hikanon estin*) functions as a rhetorical device to end the discussion. It signifies that the disciples' demonstration of literal understanding, or perhaps the mere presence of swords to fulfill prophecy, was "sufficient" for the moment, preventing further futile debate on a path Jesus had no intention of pursuing.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:38 is rich with **Irony**, as the disciples' literal interpretation of Jesus' command to acquire swords stands in stark contrast to His true spiritual mission and the non-violent nature of His kingdom. Their readiness for physical battle ironically foreshadows Peter's misguided attempt to defend Jesus with a sword in Gethsemane, which Jesus immediately rebukes. The passage also employs **Misunderstanding** as a key narrative device, a recurring theme throughout the Gospels where the disciples consistently fail to grasp the deeper, spiritual truths Jesus teaches, clinging instead to earthly expectations. Jesus' enigmatic response, "It is enough," functions as a form of **Understatement** or **Litotes**, where a seemingly simple statement carries profound, unstated implications, effectively shutting down a line of thought without explicitly correcting the disciples' misapprehension, allowing the divine plan to unfold through seemingly mundane details.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:38 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's kingdom and the means by which it advances. It decisively refutes the notion that Christ's reign is established or defended through worldly power, violence, or armed conflict. Instead, it subtly points to a victory achieved through humility, suffering, and self-sacrifice, aligning with the prophetic suffering servant motif. The disciples' desire for physical weapons stands in stark contrast to the spiritual armor and weapons that believers are truly called to wield in the spiritual battle against sin and evil. This passage serves as a foundational text for understanding Christian non-violence and the spiritual nature of the believer's warfare.

* [Matthew 26:52](/matthew/26-52 "Matthew 26:52 - Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword")
* [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Is Not Against Flesh and Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:38 challenges believers to critically examine the nature of their own expectations regarding God's work in the world. Do we, like the disciples, often seek worldly solutions, power, or influence to advance God's kingdom, when He calls us to spiritual means? This passage reminds us that true victory in Christ is often found not through force or human strength, but through humility, sacrifice, and obedience to His counter-cultural ways. It calls us to discern God's purposes, even when they seem counter-intuitive to our human logic or desires for immediate, tangible results. Our "swords" are not physical but spiritual: the Word of God, prayer, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it leads through suffering or perceived vulnerability, knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness and His kingdom is established by radically different principles than the kingdoms of this world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, like the disciples, tend to interpret Jesus' teachings through a worldly or literal lens, missing the deeper spiritual meaning?**
* **How does my understanding of "victory" align with or diverge from Jesus' demonstration of victory through suffering and self-sacrifice?**
* **What "swords" (worldly methods, reliance on human power, etc.) might I be tempted to employ in my spiritual life or ministry, instead of relying on God's spiritual weapons?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus tell His disciples to buy swords in the first place if He didn't intend for them to use them for physical defense?**

Answer: Jesus' instruction in [Luke 22:36](/luke/22-36 "Luke 22:36 - Jesus instructs disciples to buy swords") to acquire swords, along with purses and bags, marks a significant shift from His earlier instructions for their missions ([Luke 9:3](/luke/9-3 "Luke 9:3 - Jesus sends out the twelve") and [Luke 10:4](/luke/10-4 "Luke 10:4 - Jesus sends out the seventy-two")). Previously, they were sent out relying entirely on divine provision. Now, as He approaches His crucifixion, Jesus indicates that the circumstances are changing dramatically. The time of peace and easy acceptance is over; a period of intense opposition, danger, and misunderstanding is about to begin. The command to buy swords, therefore, is widely interpreted not as a literal call to armed self-defense or rebellion, but as a symbolic statement about the perilous times ahead. It signifies the hostility and danger they would face, and perhaps, as Jesus immediately states in [Luke 22:37](/luke/22-37 "Luke 22:37 - Jesus quotes Isaiah 53:12"), to fulfill the prophecy that He would be "numbered with the transgressors," making Him appear as a leader of a potentially rebellious group. The presence of swords, even if not used for combat, would contribute to this perception and the fulfillment of prophecy.

**What did Jesus mean by "It is enough" in response to the two swords?**

Answer: Jesus' terse reply, "It is enough" (Greek: *Hikanon estin*), is best understood as a rhetorical statement designed to end the discussion, rather than a literal assessment of the sufficiency of two swords for armed conflict. Given the context of His imminent arrest and His later rebuke of Peter for using a sword ([Matthew 26:52](/matthew/26-52 "Matthew 26:52 - Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword")), Jesus was not endorsing armed resistance. Instead, "It is enough" signifies: "That suffices," or "That's enough of this topic." It indicates that the disciples' misunderstanding, or the mere presence of the swords for the purpose of fulfilling prophecy, was sufficient for the moment. Jesus was not interested in a debate about physical defense; His focus was on the spiritual battle and the path of suffering He was about to embark upon. His words served to close the conversation and redirect their attention, albeit subtly, away from earthly weapons and towards the spiritual realities of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:38, though seemingly a minor detail, profoundly illuminates the Christ-centered nature of salvation and the kingdom of God. Jesus' refusal to engage in armed conflict, culminating in His "It is enough" response, foreshadows His ultimate path of non-resistance and sacrificial love. He is the Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) who willingly lays down His life, not a conquering king who battles with earthly weapons. His victory is secured not by the sword, but by the cross, fulfilling the prophecies of a suffering servant who would bear the sins of many ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - The Suffering Servant")). The disciples' desire for physical swords highlights humanity's persistent inclination to seek power and control, contrasting sharply with Christ's kingdom, which is established through humility, service, and the spiritual power of His resurrection ([Philippians 2:5-11](/philippians/2-5-11 "Philippians 2:5-11 - The Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ")). This passage ultimately points to Jesus as the one who redefines power, demonstrating that true strength lies in self-giving love and obedience to God's will, even unto death, thereby inaugurating a new covenant secured by His blood, not by human might ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 22:49

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

Matthew 26:52

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Matthew 26:54

But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

2 Corinthians 10:3

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2 Corinthians 10:4

(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Ephesians 6:10

¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.