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.

Then {G5119} said {G3004} Jesus {G2424} unto him {G846}, Put up again {G654} thy {G4675} sword {G3162} into {G1519} his {G846} place {G5117}: for {G1063} all they {G3956} that take {G2983} the sword {G3162} shall perish {G622} with {G1722} the sword {G3162}.

Yeshua said to him, "Put your sword back where it belongs, for everyone who uses the sword will die by the sword.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

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

Commentary

Matthew 26:52 is a pivotal moment during Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, offering profound insight into the nature of His kingdom and the principles governing His followers. This verse captures Jesus' immediate rebuke to one of His disciples who attempted to defend Him with violence.

Context

Immediately preceding this verse, Judas Iscariot has betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and a multitude has come to arrest Him. One of Jesus' disciples, identified by John 18:10 as Simon Peter, impulsively draws a sword and strikes the servant of the high priest, Malchus, cutting off his ear. Jesus' response here is a clear command to cease the use of physical force and a warning about the consequences of violence. This event is also notable for Jesus' miraculous healing of the servant's ear, demonstrating His power and compassion even in His hour of arrest.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Violence: Jesus unequivocally rejects the use of physical force and aggression, even in self-defense or defense of a righteous cause. His kingdom is not established or defended by worldly means.
  • Trust in Divine Will: Jesus' words underscore His submission to God's predetermined plan for His arrest, suffering, and crucifixion. He was not to be rescued by human intervention, but to fulfill prophecy (Matthew 26:54). He could have called for twelve legions of angels, but chose not to.
  • Consequences of Violence: The stark warning, "for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword," highlights the cyclical and destructive nature of violence. It suggests that those who resort to violence will ultimately face its destructive consequences, either directly or through the perpetuation of conflict. This principle extends beyond literal swords to any form of aggressive, retaliatory action.
  • The Nature of Christ's Kingdom: This incident reinforces the idea that Jesus' kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36) and is advanced through spiritual, not carnal, weapons.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "sword" here is machaira (μάχαιρα), which refers to a short sword or dagger, often used for close combat or as a large knife. The phrase "perish with the sword" (ἀπολοῦνται ἐν μαχαίρᾳ - apolountai en machaira) uses the verb apollumi (ἀπόλλυμι), meaning to destroy, lose, or be ruined. The parallelism emphasizes the direct and often fatal consequences of living by violence.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:52 offers profound lessons for believers today. It challenges us to:

  • Embrace Peaceful Means: Christians are called to resolve conflicts and advance God's kingdom through peaceful, loving means, even when faced with injustice or opposition. This aligns with Jesus' broader teachings on loving enemies and turning the other cheek.
  • Trust God's Sovereignty: We are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate control and His perfect plan, rather than relying on human strength or aggressive tactics to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Break Cycles of Retaliation: The verse serves as a warning against the perpetuation of violence and retaliation. Instead, believers are called to be instruments of peace and reconciliation, striving to live peaceably with all men.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 13:10

    He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

  • Genesis 9:6

    Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

  • Romans 12:19

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

  • 1 Peter 2:21

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

  • 1 Peter 2:23

    Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  • Revelation 16:6

    For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
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