1. Matthieu 10:34 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

What does it mean that Jesus came to bring a sword?

Matthieu 10:34 (NEG79)

34 Ne croyez pas que je sois venu apporter la paix sur la terre; je ne suis pas venu apporter la paix, mais l'épée.

En bref

There are two possibilities for what it means that Jesus came to bring a sword:

  1. Peace and the sword are two sides of the Kingdom of God. The Messiah’s coming brings peace and salvation, but also  judgment and separation: that is, the sword (see Micah 5:4,Micah 5:14). Jesus means not only judgment on the last day, but also judgment already pronounced (see Matthew 10:35–36; John 3:18–21).

  2. The sword can be taken in its literal sense. Persecutors engage in religious warfare, and use violence against those who confess the name of the Lord. One can also take the sword figuratively: offering spiritual resistance, which lies behind the physical resistance, and which of course can lead to it. While Jesus does not here teach his disciples to defend themselves by means of the sword, he also does not forbid them to do so. He only states what he will do himself and what the consequences of preaching the gospel will be.

Interpretation 1:

Peace and the sword are two sides of the Kingdom of God. The coming of the Messiah brings peace and salvation on the one hand, while on the other hand it brings judgment and separation: that is, the sword (see Micah 5:4, Micah 5:14). Jesus here speaks exclusively over two aspects: the judgment that not only refers to future judgment on the last day, but is also now presently operational in the world (see Matthew 10:35–36and John 3:18–21).1

Interpretation 2:

The sword mentioned here as a symbol of battle can very well also be taken in its literal sense. Persecutors use violence against those who acknowledge and confess the name of the Lord. Furthermore, throughout history there had also been religious wars. Then one can also take the sword figuratively in the sense of offering spiritual resistance, which lies behind the physical resistance, and which of course can lead to it. While many have observed that Jesus does not here teach his disciples to defend themselves by means of the sword, he also does not prohibit them from doing so either. He merely states what he will do himself and what the consequences of the preaching of the gospel will be.2