Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the companion who just drew his sword and severed the high priest’s servant’s ear during the garden arrest. The words — ἀπόστρεψον (apostrepson) = do return, paired with τὴν μάχαιραν (tēn machairan) = the sword. The text literally commands the immediate return of the weapon to its proper location. The thread — The principle appears in Genesis 9:6 regarding bloodshed, Revelation 13:10 concerning judgment by the sword, and Romans 12:19 on withholding personal vengeance. Why it lands — The text states that those who draw the sword will die by it, and interpreters infer that readers must abandon self-justified violence and submit to God’s sovereign protection.
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
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Cross-references
- Genesis 9:6 Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.
- Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
- Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
- 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Revelation 16:6 For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”
- Psalms 55:23 But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.
- Ezekiel 35:5 Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment,
- Matthew 23:34 Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.