Verse
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. – Luke 22:36
Meaning of Luke 22:36
The verse Luke 22:36 is spoken by Jesus, which is also known as the farewell discourse to his disciples before his arrest. In this verse, ‘Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’, Jesus tells his disciples to prepare their future mission. Jesus suggests gathering and be willing to sacrifice their belongings such as purses and bags. He also advises them that if they do not have a sword, they should sell their cloak and buy one. The meaning of this verse is a subject of debate among scholars and theologians. The sword symbolizes spiritual preparedness and being ready for challenges. In a literal sense, the verse implies that Jesus is advocating for self-defense. However, considering Jesus’ overall teachings of non-violence, the symbolic interpretation is often preferred. It shows how important it is to be spiritually ready when spreading the gospel and facing opposition.
Interpretations of Luke 22:36
The verse Luke 22:36 is one of the verse that uses both symbolic and plain interpretation. A few interpretation are given below.
Interpretation #1 The verse is talking about spiritual sword
In this version, the reader believes that Luke 22:36 is an interesting symbolic interpretation of a deeper spiritual truth. The ‘sword’ is not a physical weapon but a powerful metaphor for disciples’ preparedness in their divine mission. Here, the reader also believes Jesus is calling to arm oneself with spiritual armor such as faith, love, righteousness, and courage. Jesus tells His followers to be spiritually alert and ready to face challenges while spreading the gospel. The metaphorical sword stands for the Word of God to lead the believers to salvation. As disciples, they must not rely on earthly weapons, but on the power of God’s truth.
Interpretation #2 Jesus is calling for the preparedness of physical war
In this interpretation, the verse ‘Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’ means revealing Jesus’ concern for the safety and well-being of his disciples during their missionary journey. Here the reader takes the verse’s meaning in literal sense and calls for self-defense. He or she understands Jesus is urging the followers to carry swords as a means of physical protection against potential threats they may encounter while spreading the Gospel. The reader believes Jesus expresses His concern for their safety, reminding disciples to be vigilant while pursuing their divine mission.
Interpretation #3 Jesus is informing the challenges of discipleship
In this interpretation, the reader believes that Luke 22:36 is a hyperbolic expression. Jesus calls His disciples to buy swords, not in a literal sense, but to emphasize the challenges they’ll face in their mission. The swords symbolize the spiritual strength needed to overcome obstacles and spiritual battles. The verse ‘Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’ is not about promoting violence. Instead, Jesus is urging them to be steadfast and committed to their calling, relying on divine protection. The verse Luke 22:36 encourages deep contemplation and invites disciples to explore the profound depths of their journey with Him.
Interpretation #4 The verse is fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy
This interpretation of the verse, Luke 22:36 is compelling and is also related to Isaiah 53:12. Hence, the reader understands that the verse is revealing Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy. The verse ‘Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’ is call to carry swords or weapon that symbolizes the challenges and rejection Jesus will face by the Jewish and Roman leaders. Here, the reader also understands that Jesus is not advocating violence but encourages Christians to follow divine plans. Additionally, Jesus represents Isaiah’s description of suffering servant, and the swords represent the world’s hostility. He or she believe that Jesus uncovers the profound link between ancient prophecies and His mission.
Historical background of Luke 22:36
The Gospel of Luke is a part of the New Testament of the Bible. It was perhaps written between 60 and 80 A.D., a few decades after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Luke is attributed to Luke. He was not the disciple of Jesus, but a physician and companion of the Apostle Paul. The Gospel of Luke was carefully compiled through research and eyewitness interviews. The Gospel of Luke is well-known as one of the four canonical Gospels, alongside Matthew, Mark, and John. It was written for a primarily Gentiles, also known as non-Jewish people, presenting a comprehensive narrative of Jesus’ ministry and mission. Luke 22:36 is located inside the “Farewell Discourse,” which occurs during the Last Supper. In this verse, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges ahead and advises them to carry swords, likely symbolizing spiritual preparedness rather than literal weapons. The events take place during the Passion Week, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. This verse reveals a profound connection between ancient prophecies, Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy, and the significance of His mission in the larger divine plan.
Literary Devices of Luke 22:36
The verse Luke 22:36 has several literary devices that add depth and richness to the verse. Here are some examples of literary devices used in this verse.
Alliteration – The verse has one repeated consonant sounds without quick succession. For example, the sound of /h/ in ‘, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword’.
Consonance – The verse also has a few consonant sounds in repetition and few sounds are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /n/, the sound of /t/, the sound of /s/, the sound of /d/, the sound of /l/ in ‘Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’.
Assonance – The verse has a few vowels in repetition and few are in quick succession. For example, the sound of /a/, the sound of /i/, the sound of /e/ in ‘Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one’.
Metaphor – The verse has one metaphor ‘sword’ which is also a symbol of spiritual preparedness, and the challenges of a literal weapon.
Hyperbole – The verse is also a good example of hyperbole. For example, ‘sell your cloak and buy one’ spoken by Jesus to sell one’s cloak to buy a sword is a hyperbolic statement to emphasize the seriousness of the situation and the need for readiness.
Allusion – The verse is one of the best examples of allusion. The verse refers to the prophecy from Isaiah 53:12. Here, Jesus alludes to His impending future where He is a suffering servant. The same is highlighted in the Old Testament prophecies.