Matthew 26 52

Matthew 26:52 kjv

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.

Matthew 26:52 nkjv

But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Matthew 26:52 niv

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Matthew 26:52 esv

Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Matthew 26:52 nlt

"Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 52 Meaning

This verse records Jesus' command to Peter to return his sword to its scabbard, accompanied by a profound principle: those who live by the sword will perish by the sword. It conveys Jesus' absolute rejection of violent resistance to His arrest, underscoring the necessity of divine will fulfillment and highlighting the principle of retribution that applies to reliance on earthly power and aggression.

Matthew 26 52 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Judas' betrayal kiss and the arrival of a large crowd with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, acting impulsively and perhaps in a misguided attempt to defend his Lord, drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant (identified as Malchus in John 18:10). Jesus' statement in Matthew 26:52 is a direct rebuke to Peter's violent act, stopping him from further resistance. It reinforces the pre-ordained nature of Jesus' arrest and suffering, aligning it with the will of God and the fulfillment of Scripture. The broader historical context is the tension between Roman occupation and Jewish longing for a political Messiah who would liberate them by force, which Jesus consistently rejected.

Matthew 26 52 Word analysis

• Then Jesus (τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς - tote ho Iēsous): The adverb "then" indicates an immediate, decisive reaction from Jesus to Peter's impulsive violence, asserting His authority even in His moment of vulnerability. It marks a critical turning point and teaching moment.
• said (εἶπεν - eípen): A simple statement of command, reflecting Jesus' complete control over the situation and His disciples, despite the overwhelming force assembled against Him.
• to him (αὐτῷ - autō): Refers directly to Peter, as revealed by the fuller account in John's Gospel, highlighting the specific rebuke for Peter's zealous but carnal defense.
• "Put (ἀπόστρεψον - apostrepson): An imperative verb meaning "turn back," "restore," or "return." It is a strong, immediate command for Peter to cease his action and put his weapon away.
• your sword (μάχαιράν σου - machairan sou): A small sword or dagger, commonly carried for self-defense. It symbolizes worldly means, physical power, and an attempt to control situations through human force.
• back into its place (εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς - eis ton topon autēs): Emphasizes that the sword has a proper resting place, and it is not drawn here for battle. This highlights the inappropriateness of armed resistance in this divine moment.
• For (γὰρ - gar): A connective particle, indicating a reason or explanation for the preceding command. Jesus provides a principle to underpin His prohibition.
• all who take (πάντες οἱ λαβόντες - pántes hoi labóntes): "All" indicates a universal principle, not just limited to Peter or that moment. "Who take" (or "those having taken up") implies a choice of method or a lifestyle of violence.
• the sword (μάχαιραν - machairan): Repetition of the noun underscores the direct correlation between the weapon used and the consequence.
• will perish (ἀπολοῦνται - apoloúntai): A future tense verb meaning "will be destroyed," "will die," or "will be ruined." It signifies a certain and often violent end, connecting action with consequence.
• by the sword (ἐν μαχαίρᾳ - en machairā): The instrumental "by means of the sword" reinforces the principle of fitting retribution, where the instrument of offense becomes the instrument of judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place.": This phrase is a decisive command, preventing Peter from further hindering God's sovereign plan. It asserts Jesus' spiritual authority over Peter's misguided human zeal and redefines the nature of conflict for His followers. It also prefigures the nature of the Kingdom of God, which is not advanced by human force.
• For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.": This is a powerful, universal proverbial statement explaining why the sword must be put away. It reveals a principle of divine justice or inherent consequence: those who rely on violence will ultimately fall victim to violence. It contrasts the worldly pursuit of power through force with God's ultimate justice, which does not require human vengeance. This principle echoes biblical retribution and foreshadows the eventual destruction of earthly systems built on force.

Matthew 26 52 Bonus section

This verse has been central to Christian discussions on pacifism and justified warfare, demonstrating Jesus' personal rejection of violence in a moment of extreme provocation. The "sword" in this context refers not only to the physical weapon but also metaphorically to reliance on human power and violent means to achieve one's objectives, particularly in matters of faith or God's kingdom. Jesus' teaching here indicates that true strength and victory in His kingdom do not come through worldly conquest but through suffering, self-sacrifice, and submission to divine will. The statement "all who take the sword will perish by the sword" reflects both a practical consequence (violence begets violence) and a divine decree of justice (God repays those who live by vengeance and force in kind). It signifies the boundaries of Christian engagement with worldly power dynamics and clarifies that the advancement of God's redemptive plan does not rely on human force or the physical defense of Jesus' person. This stands in stark contrast to prevailing Jewish messianic expectations of a conquering hero and establishes a new paradigm for His followers.

Matthew 26 52 Commentary

Matthew 26:52 is a pivotal declaration by Jesus, unequivocally rejecting the use of violence, particularly in defense of His divine mission. Peter's act of drawing a sword to defend Jesus highlights the disciples' misunderstanding of the nature of Christ's kingdom, which is not of this world (John 18:36) and not advanced by carnal weapons (2 Cor 10:4). Jesus' command to "Put your sword back into its place" demonstrates His full acceptance of the Father's will for Him to suffer and die, emphasizing that divine prophecy must be fulfilled (Matt 26:54). The accompanying proverb, "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword," serves as a universal principle. It's a statement about divine retribution, implying that those who rely on violence will eventually become its victims, and it warns against living by human power rather than trusting in God's sovereignty. This teaches His disciples, and by extension the Church, that their warfare is spiritual (Eph 6:12), and their trust must be in God's plan, not in worldly force or self-defense against the divine purpose.

• Example: For a believer, this means resolving conflicts through peace and forgiveness rather than aggression, and trusting God for vindication rather than seeking personal vengeance.