Luke 22 49

Luke 22:49 kjv

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

Luke 22:49 nkjv

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

Luke 22:49 niv

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

Luke 22:49 esv

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

Luke 22:49 nlt

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

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 49 Meaning

Luke 22:49 records the disciples' immediate, fearful reaction as the arresting party approached Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Witnessing the imminent capture of their Master, they collectively appealed to Him, seeking permission to use physical force and weaponry—specifically swords—to defend Him and prevent His apprehension. This question highlights their loyalty but also their persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, His divine submission, and the non-violent nature of His Kingdom.

Luke 22 49 Context

Luke 22:49 is set in the Garden of Gethsemane, immediately following Jesus' intense prayer where He submitted to the Father's will (Lk 22:42-44) and after He had awakened His drowsy disciples. It occurs at the cusp of His arrest, as Judas approaches with a crowd comprising chief priests, temple guards, and elders (Lk 22:47). This moment captures the disciples' fear and their residual, ingrained understanding of the Messiah as a political liberator who would employ worldly power to establish an earthly kingdom. They were reacting to a perceived threat to their Lord and the hope of that physical kingdom, still failing to fully grasp the spiritual, suffering nature of Jesus' true mission, despite His earlier teachings on non-violence and the suffering servant.

Luke 22 49 Word analysis

• When: Greek: de (δὲ) - A connective particle, here signaling a transition or immediate sequence of events. It shows the immediacy of the disciples' reaction upon observing the situation.
• those who were around Him: Greek: hoi peri autou (οἱ περὶ αὐτοῦ) - Refers to the disciples present with Jesus in Gethsemane, specifically the eleven (minus Judas), with Peter, John, and James having been closer to Him during His agony. This phrase emphasizes the collective observation and response of His immediate followers. It highlights their closeness but also their shared earthly perspective.
• saw: Greek: idontes (ἰδόντες) - From horaō, meaning "to see," "to perceive." This participler "having seen" denotes that their reaction stemmed directly from their perception of the unfolding threat—the arrival of Judas and the armed multitude, signaling the arrest. Their sight triggered their proposed action.
• what was going to happen: Greek: to ginomenon (τὸ γινόμενον) - Lit. "the coming-to-be" or "the happening thing." It refers to the immediate, developing event: Jesus' impending arrest, which was clearly evident as the crowd with weapons and torches drew near. This signifies the disciples' realization that a confrontation was imminent, and their loyalty prompted them to consider a physical defense.
• they said: Greek: eipon (εἶπον) - Implies a collective, spontaneous outcry from the group, though one disciple (Peter) acts on it shortly after. It indicates a unanimous, though misguided, resolve among them to protect Jesus.
• Lord,: Greek: Kyrie (Κύριε) - A respectful form of address, acknowledging Jesus' authority and their subservience to Him. Despite their flawed understanding, they still sought His approval for their proposed action, demonstrating their continued recognition of His leadership.
• should we strike: Greek: pataxomen (πατάξομεν) - From patassō, meaning "to strike," "to smite," "to wound." It's an aorist active subjunctive, a deliberative question, literally "shall we strike?" It reveals their readiness to initiate physical violence as a defense mechanism, a typical response in times of perceived threat, yet antithetical to the nature of Jesus' kingdom.
• with the sword?: Greek: machairai (μαχαίρᾳ) - Refers to a sword, typically a short sword or dagger. The mention of the sword indicates a prepared or expected armed response, suggesting at least some of the disciples possessed such weapons, perhaps for self-defense during their travels, or perhaps reflecting the lingering zealot spirit among some. This shows their leaning on physical armaments rather than spiritual authority.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen": This phrase encapsulates the disciples' human perception of immediate danger. They correctly assessed the physical threat, but their response stemmed from a worldly view of protection and power, rather than understanding Jesus' submission to the divine plan.
• "Lord, should we strike with the sword?": This question vividly portrays the conflict between human intention (protecting Jesus) and divine purpose (Jesus willingly submitting to suffering). It underscores the disciples' difficulty in moving beyond their preconceived notions of a militant Messiah and accepting a suffering one. Their loyalty, though commendable, was still rooted in a carnal, rather than spiritual, understanding of God's Kingdom.

Luke 22 49 Bonus section

The question posed by the disciples, "should we strike with the sword?", implies that at least two swords were present among them (Lk 22:38, where Jesus ironically says "it is enough" when told there are two swords, possibly referring to this later context). This presence of swords suggests a readiness, perhaps even an expectation, for physical conflict among some of Jesus' followers. The moment underscores the immense spiritual transformation required for the disciples to understand a Savior who conquers through apparent defeat, a King whose throne is a cross, and whose power is revealed not in domination but in suffering love. It challenges the common human impulse towards self-preservation and violent retaliation, demonstrating Jesus' revolutionary approach to opposition and injustice. This scene foreshadows the long struggle throughout church history to reconcile the desire for power and earthly influence with the suffering and humble example of Christ.

Luke 22 49 Commentary

Luke 22:49 marks a pivotal moment showcasing the radical difference between earthly human reactions and the divine purpose of Christ. As the betrayal unfolds in Gethsemane, the disciples, gripped by fear and loyalty, propose a violent defense. This question—"Lord, should we strike with the sword?"—epitomizes their persistent failure to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' Kingdom. Despite three years of intimate teaching, they still conceived of their Lord as a political Messiah who should be defended with physical force against enemies. This contrasts sharply with Jesus' own submission to the Father's will to suffer and die, as just demonstrated in His prayer (Lk 22:42). Their eagerness to fight anticipates Peter's subsequent action (cutting off Malchus's ear, Lk 22:50), setting the stage for Jesus' powerful rebuke of violence and His healing act, affirming His authority and the spiritual, non-combative means by which His Kingdom is established. The verse underscores that God's plan is not executed through human might or carnal weapons, but through obedience, sacrifice, and divine power, a lesson central to the narrative of Christ's passion.