Bible Strands
Luke 22:38
So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” “That is enough,” He answered.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus responds to the disciples after they report possessing two swords, immediately following His declaration that He must be counted among transgressors. The exchange concludes the upper room conversation before He departs for the Mount of Olives.
The words — ἰδοὺ (idou) means “behold” or “look,” and δύο (duo) means “two,” marking the disciples’ literal presentation of their weapons. μάχαιραι (machairai) denotes the short swords or daggers they have brought.
The thread — The dialogue anticipates Jesus’ rebuke in Matthew 26:52 when He commands Peter to sheathe his sword, and contrasts with Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 10:3 that spiritual warfare is not fought according to the flesh. The same weapons are later drawn in Luke 22:49 when the disciples ask if they should strike.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that physical defense cannot satisfy spiritual fulfillment, forcing a choice between relying on human weapons and trusting Christ’s appointed path. It demands immediate alignment with His direction rather than independent preparation for conflict.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh.
- Matthew 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
- Luke 22:49 Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
- 1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.