Q. He who taught His disciples to suffer patiently, and not to resist evil, and that he who took the sword would perish by the sword (Matt. 26:5252Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52)), said also that “He that hath no sword” was to “sell his garment and buy one” (Luke 22:3636Then 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)). Why this apparent difference, and in the same period of His ministry?
A. The passage in Luke was specially applicable to “the hour,” that is, the period inclusive from the Last Supper until the death on the cross. Before this He had claimed all for His followers as the Messiah in power, and yet in lowly grace. (See Luke 9:33And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. (Luke 9:3)). To this experimental knowledge of His care and power He appeals (Luke 22:3535And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. (Luke 22:35)), using that word “Lacked ye anything,” which calls to mind so beautifully the passage in 1 Kings 4:2727And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. (1 Kings 4:27), when, under Solomon’s reign, his subjects “lacked nothing.” This was touchingly known by those who followed a greater than Solomon. In verse 36 He announces the solemn change that was coming, because of the “hour” on which He was then about to enter. He says, as it were: — Now all my intervention thus on your behalf must cease. Those displays of my power to your hearts must now be suspended; I go to face the powers of evil — to drink the cup. Now you must shift for yourselves. “For this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned amongst the transgressors,” etc. To those who listened it was but a literal direction about selling a garment and buying a sword. His words were far above their ken; and the secret thoughts of their hearts were betrayed, as well as the secret preparations for carnal strife they had concealed in their robes. They answer Him, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” His reply shows that He felt and knew that His words were beyond them, and He utters “It is enough” — you cannot hear my words or understand me now. It is not a literal meaning my words imply, as that which you attach to them (compare John 21:22, 2322Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. 23Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (John 21:22‑23)).
The other passage, Matthew 26, &c., is the sequel to, and result of their carnal thoughts. One of them smites with the sword outright. His carnal zeal, still undiscerning of the Spirit’s mind, leads him in act beyond the thoughts of those who, without understanding, say, “Lord, shall we smite with the sword?” The Lord then pronounces the word which is characteristic of the new Christian place of passive, unresisting grace — “All they that take sword shall perish with the sword.” Since it came in (the Christian place), it is as inconsistent and anomalous to see a sword by a Christian’s side as it would be to see a soldier of the Queen’s army fighting against the Queen in the ranks of her foe. The Christian’s weapons are not “carnal,” though “mighty” in another way. There have been Christian soldiers who knew not the heavenly calling of a Christian, and they have perished with the sword and gone to heaven. This latter is His grace. But they knew no better, let us say, in the same grace If they had, the sword would have been too heavy for a conscience that walked in the light with God in heaven, and heavier each day till it was thrown aside; or, alas! what has happened, I daresay, at times, worn by an exercised conscience, with the Spirit grieved, until the Spirit ceased to strive and the conscience felt no more!
Words of Truth, New Series 2:159, 160.