Luke 22:49 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"

NIV: When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?"

NASB: When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, 'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?'

CSB: When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?"

NLT: When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, 'Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!'

KJV: When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

NKJV: When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”

The disciples' emotions and understandings are scattered. Jesus told them He is going to be killed (Luke 9:21–22, 44; 18:31–34) but full understanding "was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it" (Luke 9:45). During the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus mentioned several times that He is "going away" (John 13—17). The disciples don't know what this means but they take it seriously enough to be sad (Luke 22:45).

It doesn't make sense to them. Jesus keeps talking about the coming of the kingdom of God. And just recently, He told the disciples, "Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one" (Luke 22:36). The Pharisees have wanted to destroy Jesus for a long time (Mark 3:6). Surely this is the time to act. The guards and high priest's servants are closing in on Jesus. Peter, James, and John are nearest. Jesus has mentioned that in their future travels, they will need a sword. Peter thinks the time has come to use it.

As this question goes out, the guards and servants have reached out and grabbed Jesus (Matthew 26:50). It's dark and crowded and their Master is being arrested on the orders of toxic religious leaders. The disciples feel they must act now.

Peter won't wait for a reply (Luke 22:50). He draws his sword and strikes. His sword finds Malchus, one of the servants of the high priests, and slices through his ear (John 18:10).

This isn't the plan. Jesus tells Peter to put away his sword. Then He heals Malchus' ear and surrenders to the mob (Luke 22:51; Matthew 26:52).

Luke 22:47–53 records Jesus' betrayal by Judas and arrest by members of the Sanhedrin. After spending years trying to destroy Jesus, the religious leaders have found an ally in one of His disciples. Judas leads soldiers and servants to where Jesus spends His nights. The arrest will be in the dark, away from the crowds. Peter, quick to prove his loyalty, cuts off a servant's ear. Jesus heals it and allows Himself to be taken. Jesus' arrest is also recorded in Matthew 26:47–56, Mark 14:43–50, and John 18:2–12.

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke 23 continues Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas. He is then led to the cross where He forgives His murderers and saves a thief before He dies. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, meets two disciples while they travel, and explains to them how the Old Testament prophesied the death of the Messiah. In the final scene of the gospel, Jesus is reunited with His disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.