### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun θήκη (thḗkē), Strong's number `{{G2336}}`, carries the primary meaning of "a receptacle" or "container." Its semantic range in the New Testament is remarkably narrow, being exclusively employed to denote a "scabbard" or "sheath" for a sword. The word derives from the verb τίθημι (tithēmi) `{{G5087}}`, meaning "to place," "to put," or "to set." Thus, θήκη fundamentally describes a place where something is put or laid away, specifically an implement designed to house and contain a weapon. This etymological link highlights its function as an object of containment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term θήκη occurs only once in the New Testament canon, found in the Gospel of John:
* **[[John 18:11]]**: "So Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword into its sheath (θήκη). Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?'"
This singular occurrence is profoundly significant. The context is the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately following Judas's betrayal and the arrival of the arresting party. Peter, in a spontaneous act of defense, draws his sword (μάχαιρα `{{G3162}}`) and strikes the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. Jesus' command to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath," is a direct and forceful directive to cease physical aggression. The sheath, in this moment, becomes a symbol of restraint, peace, and the rejection of worldly means of power or defense in the face of divine will. Jesus' subsequent rhetorical question about drinking the Father's cup further underscores His submission to God's plan, which involves suffering and sacrifice rather than violent resistance. The θήκη here represents the cessation of earthly conflict in favor of spiritual obedience.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verb from which θήκη derives:
* τίθημι (tithēmi) `{{G5087}}`: "to place," "to put," "to lay." This verb emphasizes the action of placing the sword *into* the sheath, signifying the act of putting away or ceasing an action. It is the active counterpart to the passive receptacle.
Another crucial related word, by direct association in the biblical text, is:
* μάχαιρα (machaira) `{{G3162}}`: "sword." The θήκη is the container for the μάχαιρα. The relationship between the two objects in [[John 18:11]] highlights a profound theological contrast: the sword represents human violence and worldly power, while the sheath, by containing the sword at Jesus' command, symbolizes the divine call to restraint, non-aggression, and the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom.
Concepts related to θήκη in its biblical context include:
* **Containment and Restraint**: The sheath's physical function is to contain the blade, symbolically representing the containment of violence and human impulsiveness.
* **Non-violence**: Jesus' command explicitly rejects the use of physical force in the advancement or defense of His kingdom.
* **Divine Will vs. Human Action**: The command to sheath the sword prioritizes God's sovereign plan over Peter's well-intentioned but misguided human intervention.
* **The Nature of Christ's Kingdom**: It is not a kingdom established or defended by earthly weapons or power, but by spiritual truth and self-sacrifice.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of θήκη in [[John 18:11]] carries immense theological weight. Jesus' command to Peter to return his sword to its sheath serves as a foundational declaration regarding the nature of His kingdom and the methodology of His mission. It emphatically communicates that the kingdom of God is not advanced or defended through physical violence or worldly power. By instructing Peter to sheath his sword, Jesus:
1. **Rejects Violence**: He disavows the use of physical force, even in defense of the Son of God, establishing a paradigm of non-retaliation and peaceful submission to divine will. This stands in stark contrast to prevailing messianic expectations that often included military conquest.
2. **Affirms Divine Sovereignty**: Jesus' willingness to drink the "cup" (a metaphor for suffering and death) demonstrates His complete submission to the Father's plan, which included His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The sheath thus symbolizes the cessation of human intervention that would thwart God's redemptive purpose.
3. **Defines Discipleship**: For Peter and all future disciples, the command to sheath the sword illustrates that the battle for God's kingdom is fundamentally spiritual, not carnal (cf. [[Ephesians 6:12]]). True discipleship involves trust in God's power and adherence to Christ's example of self-sacrifice, rather than reliance on human strength or weaponry.
4. **Reveals the Character of God's Kingdom**: The kingdom of God operates on principles of love, peace, and truth, not coercion or physical might. The sheathed sword becomes an emblem of a kingdom that triumphs through suffering love, not violent conquest.
### Summary
The Greek word θήκη (thḗkē) `{{G2336}}` refers to a "sheath" or "scabbard," a receptacle for a sword, deriving from the verb "to put" or "to place" (τίθημι `{{G5087}}`). Its sole appearance in the New Testament, in [[John 18:11]], is profoundly significant. In this pivotal moment in Gethsemane, Jesus commands Peter to return his sword (μάχαιρα `{{G3162}}`) to its sheath. This command is a powerful theological statement, underscoring Jesus' rejection of physical violence as a means to advance or defend God's kingdom. The θήκη thus symbolizes restraint, submission to divine will, and the spiritual nature of Christ's mission, contrasting sharply with worldly methods of power. It serves as a lasting reminder that the way of Christ is one of peace, sacrifice, and reliance on God's sovereign plan rather than human aggression.
TRV