"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him.
In this phrase, Jesus addresses Peter, who had just drawn his sword to defend Him during His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. This command reflects Jesus' commitment to non-violence and His understanding of His mission. The sword represents human attempts to control or alter divine plans through force. Jesus' instruction to put the sword away underscores His submission to God's will, as prophesied in Isaiah 53:7, where the Messiah is described as a lamb led to slaughter without resistance. This moment also highlights the contrast between earthly kingdoms, which often rely on force, and the Kingdom of God, which is established through peace and sacrifice.

"For all who draw the sword will die by the sword."
This statement serves as a warning about the consequences of living by violence. It echoes the principle of sowing and reaping found throughout Scripture, such as in Galatians 6:7-8, where it is stated that a person reaps what they sow. Historically, this reflects the Roman context of the time, where insurrections and violent uprisings were common, often leading to the death of those involved. Jesus' words also align with the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs 11:19, which speaks to the dangers of pursuing violence. This teaching emphasizes the futility of using violence to achieve God's purposes and points to the ultimate victory of Christ through His sacrificial death and resurrection, fulfilling prophecies like those in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53.

1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one who speaks the words in Matthew 26:52. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, who is about to be arrested and crucified.

2. Peter
Although not named in this specific verse, Peter is the disciple who draws his sword to defend Jesus, cutting off the ear of the high priest's servant.

3. The Garden of Gethsemane
The location where this event takes place. It is a place of prayer and betrayal, situated on the Mount of Olives.

4. The Arresting Party
This group includes soldiers and officials sent by the chief priests and elders to arrest Jesus.

5. The High Priest's Servant
The individual whose ear is cut off by Peter, illustrating the immediate context of Jesus' rebuke.The Principle of Non-Violence
Jesus' command to "Put your sword back in its place" (Matthew 26:52) emphasizes the call to non-violence and trust in God's plan. Christians are encouraged to respond to aggression with peace and faith.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Jesus' rebuke of Peter's action highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem dire. Believers are reminded to rely on God's wisdom rather than their own understanding.

The Consequences of Violence
The phrase "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52) serves as a warning about the destructive cycle of violence. Christians are called to break this cycle through love and forgiveness.

Spiritual Warfare Over Physical Conflict
The New Testament teaches that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Believers are encouraged to wield the "sword of the Spirit" rather than physical weapons.(52) All they that take the sword.--St. Matthew's record is here the fullest. St. Mark reports none of the words; St. Luke (Luke 22:51) gives only the calming utterance, "Suffer ye thus far;" St. John (John 18:11) adds to the command to put the sword into its sheath the words, "The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?" a manifest echo of the prayer that had been uttered before in the hour of His agony. The words which St. Matthew gives are obviously not a general rule declaring the unlawfulness of all warfare, offensive or defensive, but are limited in their range by the occasion. Resistance at that time would have involved certain destruction. More than that, it would have been fighting not for God, but against Him, because against the fulfilment of His purpose. It is, however, a natural inference from the words to see in them a warning applicable to all analogous occasions. In whatever other cause it may be lawful to use carnal weapons, it is not wise or right to draw the sword for Christ and His Truth. (Comp. 2Corinthians 10:4.)

Verse 52. - Put up again thy sword into his (its) place. Christ orders Peter to sheathe his sword; but the wording is peculiar, Turn away (ἀπόστρεψον) thy sword; as if Christ would say, "The sword is none of mine; the arm of flesh and the carnal weapon are thine; turn off thy sword from the use which thou art making of it to its proper destination, to be wielded only at God's command." Then he gives a motive for this injunction. For all they that take (οἱ λαβόντες) the sword shall perish with the sword. There is a stress on the word "take," and there is an imperative force in the future, "shall perish." The Lord is speaking of those who arbitrarily and presumptuously resort to violence; and he says, "Let them feel the sword." The word was of wide application, and contained a universal truth; it was, in fact, a re-enactment of the primaeval law touching the sacredness of human life, and the penalty that ensues on its infringement (Genesis 9:5, 6). It enforced also the general lesson that violence and revenge effect no good end, and bring their own punishment. There is no prophecy here (as some suppose) of the destruction of the Jews at the hands of the Romans; nor is Christ intent on soothing Peter by the thought of the future retribution which awaited the enemies whom he was so eager to chastise. Such suggestions are arbitrary and unwarranted by the context.

Parallel Commentaries ...


“Put
Ἀπόστρεψον (Apostrepson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 654: To turn away, pervert, remove; I restore, replace; mid: I desert, reject. From apo and strepho; to turn away or back.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

sword
μάχαιράν (machairan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.

back in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

its
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

place,”
τόπον (topon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5117: Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

said
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

to him.
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

“For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

draw
λαβόντες (labontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[the] sword
μάχαιραν (machairan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.

will die
ἀπολοῦνται (apolountai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

by
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] sword.
μαχαίρῃ (machairē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 26:52 Then Jesus said to him Put your (Matt. Mat Mt)