Reading the Word

Luke 22:35–38 (ESV)

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Understanding and Applying the Word

Jesus warned his disciples that things were about to change. He does this by telling them to prepare for opposition. Take your moneybag and knapsack. Obtain a sword. Jesus was about to be arrested and the disciples needed to be ready for what was coming.

Some have taken Jesus’ words about obtaining a sword literally, but it does not seem that this is how we should understand it. His disciples took them literally and proclaimed that they had two swords already, but Jesus cut them off as if they had failed to understand. Also, at his arrest, Jesus would not allow the disciples to use the swords. It seems better to understand Jesus’ words in a figurative sense. Opposition was coming and the disciples needed to prepare for it. However, the true battle would be spiritual and fought with spiritual weapons (cf. Ephesians 6:10-18), not the physical weapons of this world.

As Jesus’ disciples today, we must not be surprised when we face opposition. The world hated Jesus then and it has hated his followers in every age. It is a constant reminder that there is a cosmic battle going on and we are on the front lines of this spiritual war. We too must be ready for the fight and we do this through prayer, the word of God, the Spirit of God, the people of God, and trusting in the finished work of our Savior.

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