Luke 22:49

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} they which were about {G4012} him {G846} saw {G1492} what would follow {G2071}, they said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Lord {G2962},{G1487} shall we smite {G3960} with {G1722} the sword {G3162}?

Complete Jewish Bible

When his followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we use our swords?”

Berean Standard Bible

Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”

American Standard Version

And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:49 captures the disciples' immediate, human reaction to the escalating crisis in the Garden of Gethsemane, just moments before Jesus' betrayal and arrest. Observing the approaching multitude, they instinctively perceive an impending physical confrontation and, still clinging to a worldly understanding of Jesus' kingdom, offer to defend Him with violence. This pivotal moment underscores their lingering misunderstanding of Jesus' redemptive mission and sets the stage for the dramatic events that immediately follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of Jesus' Gethsemane experience, following His agonizing prayer where He fully submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of sweating drops of blood ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")). The narrative flow transitions from Jesus' solitary spiritual battle to the imminent physical confrontation. The disciples' question in [Luke 22:49](/luke/22-49 "Luke 22:49 - Disciples' Readiness to Fight") directly precedes Peter's impulsive act of striking the high priest's servant, an event immediately rebuked by Jesus, who then miraculously heals the injured man ([Luke 22:50-51](/luke/22-50-51 "Luke 22:50-51 - Peter Strikes, Jesus Heals")). This sequence highlights the stark contrast between human instinct and divine purpose, setting the stage for Jesus' willing surrender.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Garden of Gethsemane, an olive grove on the Mount of Olives, just outside Jerusalem. It was a common place for Jesus and His disciples to retreat. The time is late evening, likely Thursday night, during the Passover festival, a period of heightened religious and political tension in Jerusalem. The disciples, being Galileans, were accustomed to carrying short swords or daggers (Greek: _machaira_) for protection, especially when traveling. Their question reflects a common expectation among many Jews of the time that the Messiah would be a conquering king who would overthrow Roman oppression by force, establishing an earthly kingdom. This expectation deeply influenced their understanding of Jesus' mission, despite His repeated teachings about a spiritual kingdom and His impending suffering.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:49 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **misunderstanding of Jesus' kingdom**, as the disciples still envisioned an earthly, political reign established by force, rather than the spiritual kingdom inaugurated through suffering and sacrifice ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). This verse also highlights the profound **contrast between human impulse and divine will**, showcasing the disciples' natural tendency to resist perceived threats through violence versus Jesus' unwavering commitment to the Father's redemptive plan, which necessitated His arrest and crucifixion ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer of Submission")). Furthermore, it serves as a crucial moment in defining the **nature of true discipleship**, demonstrating that following Christ often requires laying down worldly weapons and embracing a path of peace, non-resistance, and trust in God's sovereignty, even in the face of adversity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb signifies not merely a physical act of seeing, but often implies perception, understanding, or knowledge. Here, the disciples "saw" what was happening—the approaching crowd with Judas—and perceived it as a direct threat, leading them to anticipate a violent confrontation. Their "seeing" was limited by their human perspective, failing to grasp the divine necessity of the unfolding events.
* **what would follow (Greek, _ésomai'_):** Derived from the verb "to be," this future tense particle indicates a certainty of impending events. The disciples recognized that a significant, likely hostile, event was "about to be" or "would follow." Their question is a direct response to this perceived inevitability, revealing their readiness to intervene based on their assessment of the immediate future.
* **smite (Greek, _patássō'_):** This word denotes a forceful, aggressive strike, often with a weapon, implying an intent to wound or kill. The disciples' use of this term clearly indicates their readiness for a physical, violent defense of Jesus, reflecting a worldly approach to conflict resolution that stands in stark opposition to Jesus' path of non-resistance and sacrificial love.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When they which were about him saw what would follow,"**: This clause establishes the immediate context: the disciples, being physically close to Jesus, observed the approaching crowd led by Judas. Their perception of "what would follow" signifies their recognition of the imminent danger and the transition from a peaceful gathering to a hostile confrontation. This observation triggers their protective instincts.
* **"they said unto him,"**: This simple phrase indicates a direct address to Jesus, signifying their seeking of His permission or command. It highlights their continued reliance on Jesus for leadership, even in this moment of crisis, though their proposed action reveals a profound misunderstanding of His mission.
* **"Lord, shall we smite with the sword?"**: This question reveals the disciples' immediate, human, and ultimately misguided solution to the perceived threat. They are ready to engage in physical combat, believing that defending Jesus by force is the appropriate response. The use of "Lord" acknowledges His authority, but their question demonstrates their failure to grasp the spiritual nature of His kingdom and the necessity of His suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:49 employs several significant literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is prominent, as the disciples, despite their proximity to Jesus, remain largely ignorant of the divine plan unfolding, proposing a violent defense while Jesus is fully aware that His arrest is a necessary step towards redemption. Their question, "shall we smite with the sword?", highlights this stark contrast between their limited human understanding and Jesus' divine foreknowledge and willing submission. Furthermore, the verse serves as an act of **Foreshadowing**, directly preceding Peter's impulsive action in striking the high priest's servant ([Luke 22:50](/luke/22-50 "Luke 22:50 - Peter Strikes the Servant")), thereby setting up Jesus' immediate rebuke and miraculous healing. Finally, there is a powerful **Contrast** between the disciples' worldly, aggressive reaction and Jesus' path of non-resistance and sacrificial love, which he demonstrates immediately after.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:49 serves as a profound theological moment, revealing the enduring tension between human impulse and divine will, and the spiritual nature of God's kingdom versus worldly power. The disciples' readiness to use physical force underscores their persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' Messiahship, which was not about earthly conquest but spiritual redemption through suffering. This scene highlights the radical call of Christ to lay down worldly weapons and embrace a path of self-sacrifice and peace, trusting in God's sovereign plan even when it leads to apparent defeat. It teaches that true spiritual victory is not achieved through human might or violence, but through humble submission to God's redemptive purposes.

* [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")
* [Matthew 26:52](/matthew/26-52 "Matthew 26:52 - Put Your Sword Back")
* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:49 challenges believers to critically examine their own responses when faced with adversity, perceived threats to their faith, or opportunities to "defend" God's cause. Do we, like the disciples, instinctively resort to worldly means—whether aggression, manipulation, political power, or human wisdom—to achieve spiritual ends? Or do we, in imitation of Christ, trust in God's sovereign plan and embrace a path of humility, non-violence, and self-sacrifice, even when it appears counterintuitive or leads to personal suffering? This verse calls us to lay down our "swords"—our reliance on human strength and worldly strategies—and instead embody the peaceable, loving, and submissive character of Christ, recognizing that true spiritual victory and the advancement of God's kingdom are achieved through divine power and faithfulness, not human might. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper understanding of God's ways, which often defy human logic, and to align our actions with His redemptive purposes rather than our own protective instincts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what situations do I instinctively reach for a "sword" (worldly solutions, aggression, control) rather than trusting in God's divine plan?**
* **How does my understanding of God's kingdom influence my methods for advancing His purposes in the world?**
* **What "swords" do I need to lay down in my own life to more fully embrace Christ's path of peace and self-sacrifice?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus' disciples have swords in the first place, especially after Jesus told them not to resist evil?**

Answer: The presence of swords among the disciples in Gethsemane is a point of scholarly discussion. Earlier in [Luke 22:36](/luke/22-36 "Luke 22:36 - Jesus Tells Disciples to Buy Swords"), Jesus had instructed 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." This instruction, given just before they left for Gethsemane, was likely a metaphorical warning about the difficult and dangerous times ahead, signifying the need for readiness and spiritual vigilance, rather than a literal command to arm themselves for physical combat. However, the disciples, still thinking in earthly terms, interpreted it literally and produced two swords ([Luke 22:38](/luke/22-38 "Luke 22:38 - Disciples Show Two Swords")). Their question in [Luke 22:49](/luke/22-49 "Luke 22:49 - Disciples' Readiness to Fight") and Peter's subsequent action demonstrate their literal understanding and their readiness to defend Jesus physically, which Jesus immediately corrected by rebuking Peter and healing the servant's ear ([Luke 22:50-51](/luke/22-50-51 "Luke 22:50-51 - Peter Strikes, Jesus Heals")). This highlights the disciples' ongoing struggle to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' kingdom and His mission.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:49, with the disciples' offer to "smite with the sword," powerfully underscores the Christ-centered fulfillment of prophecy and the nature of His redemptive work. In this moment, Jesus stands as the ultimate fulfillment of the Suffering Servant prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), who "was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")). Unlike the disciples who sought to defend Him with worldly force, Jesus willingly submitted to the Father's will, knowing that His true victory would come not through resistance, but through sacrificial surrender. His refusal to allow armed defense, even when legions of angels were at His command ([Matthew 26:53](/matthew/26-53 "Matthew 26:53 - Jesus Could Call Legions of Angels")), demonstrated that His kingdom "is not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). He was the Lamb of God, destined to take away the sin of the world, not by wielding a sword, but by being led "as a lamb to the slaughter" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")). Thus, the disciples' misguided question serves as a poignant backdrop against which Jesus' profound and unique path of redemptive suffering is illuminated, revealing the core of the gospel message: salvation through His voluntary sacrifice, not through human might or violence.

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 22:38

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