Luke 22:38

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 22:38 captures a pivotal and often-misunderstood moment during Jesus' final hours before His arrest. Following Jesus' instruction for His disciples to acquire swords (Luke 22:36), they present two. His terse reply, "It is enough," carries significant theological weight, signaling a conclusion to the discussion, rather than an endorsement of armed resistance.

Context

This exchange occurs in the upper room, immediately after the Last Supper and Jesus' profound teachings on the new covenant in His blood. Jesus had just told His disciples that the times were changing; unlike previous missions where they were sent without provisions (Luke 9:3, Luke 10:4), now they should even sell their cloaks to buy swords. The disciples, still thinking in earthly terms, literalized this instruction, presenting two swords. This brief interaction sets the stage for the events in the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus' subsequent arrest, where a sword would indeed be drawn by Peter (John 18:10).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Disciples' Misunderstanding: The disciples consistently struggled to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom. Their immediate presentation of physical swords demonstrates their expectation of a worldly, militant Messiah who would lead a rebellion against Roman oppression, rather than One who would achieve victory through suffering and sacrifice.
  • Jesus' Intent: Jesus' response, "It is enough," is not an affirmation that two swords are sufficient for armed defense against the Roman legion or temple guards. Instead, it is widely interpreted as a statement indicating that the literal possession of swords was sufficient to fulfill prophecy (specifically, that He would be "numbered with the transgressors" as in Isaiah 53:12, which He mentions in Luke 22:37). It also serves as a subtle end to the discussion, preventing further futile debate about physical defense.
  • The Nature of Christ's Kingdom: This passage underscores that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world, nor is it advanced by violence or earthly weapons. As Jesus later tells Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight."

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "It is enough" translates the Greek hikanon estin (ἱκανόν ἐστιν). The word hikanon means "sufficient," "adequate," or "satisfactory." In this context, it's not a quantitative assessment of weaponry but a qualitative statement. It implies: "That's enough of this discussion," or "That suffices for the purpose of demonstrating your readiness/misunderstanding, or for fulfilling what needs to happen." It brings the topic to a close, preventing the disciples from dwelling on a misguided physical defense, especially as Jesus would soon rebuke Peter for using a sword (Matthew 26:52).

Practical Application

Luke 22:38 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the nature of spiritual warfare and the methods of Christ's kingdom. We are called to engage in a spiritual battle, not a physical one, using the full armor of God rather than worldly weapons. It teaches us to discern God's purposes, even when they seem counter-intuitive to our human understanding or desires for immediate solutions. True victory in Christ is often found not through worldly power or resistance, but through humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God's greater plan, trusting His divine providence even in moments of perceived vulnerability.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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