Luke 22:36 – He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
At first glance of Luke 22:36, it is easy to assume that Jesus is telling us to equip ourselves with different things such as money and a sword, before going out to preach the gospel. However, in this scripture, Jesus is referring to items such as a bag, money belt/purse, sword, and cloak, as spiritual items. Jesus did not condone physical violence of any kind and so there is a deeper meaning behind his instructions in Luke 22:36.
Is Luke 22:36 Referring To Money?
No. Let’s take a closer look at:
Luke 10:1, 4-5 & 7 – After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go…4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’…7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
Jesus is stating that the disciples will be provided for through the preaching of the gospel and they will receive these wages for their work which is preaching the gospel.
In Luke 22:35-36, Jesus states:
Luke 22:35-36 – And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no money bag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
If Jesus was speaking literally, then he seems to be contradicting himself in Luke 12:22-33, where he said that God would provide for them:
Luke 12:22-33 – Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Matthew 6:19-21 & 25-34 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
However, this is not the case. Paul states, after Jesus’ death and resurrection:
1 Corinthians 9:3-12 & 18 – 3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?
Paul is stating that preachers of the gospel have the right not to work for a living as the world does, since they are working through the preaching of the gospel.
continued…1 Corinthians 9:7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
Preachers of the gospel have the right to be provided for their needs through the preaching of the gospel which is their work.
continued…1 Corinthians 9:12 – If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?…18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
For a moment in verse 12, it seems that Paul is also contradicting himself. But we must look elsewhere within Paul’s letters to gain context in regards to his financial situation. The church in Macedonia gave financial aid and other provisions to Paul.
2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
The Phillipian church, which was another Macedonian church also sent financial aid to Paul.
Acts 16:12 – From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
Phillipians 4:14-18 – Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
As we can see, Paul was provided for through other churches which is why he stated:
2 Corinthians 11:7-9 – Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
So now we understand why Paul stated:
1 Corinthians 9:12 – If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
In order to preach the gospel free of charge to the Corinthians, Paul used the aid he received from other churches. This does not mean that Paul did not receive wages for his work in the preaching of the gospel.
Continued…1 Corinthians 9:13-14 – Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Paul is clearly stating that preachers of the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. Paul also speaks of this in:
1 Timothy 5:17-18 – The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.
And so in no way has this concept been nullified which Jesus stated in Luke 10:7.
Luke 10:7 – Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
My point is that Jesus is speaking about spiritual items in Luke 22:35-36. He is not saying that God will not provide and look after you, so you had better look after yourself, which it seemed like he was stating in:
Luke 22:35-36 – And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no money bag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
What Does Luke 22:36 Mean?
Let’s examine the evidence of the meaning behind Luke 22:35-36:
Luke 22:36 – He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
Jesus is speaking of spiritual items in this scripture. A spiritual bag:
Job 14:17 – my transgression would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.
We can see confirmation of this in:
Luke 22:37 – For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
This means that people will call both Jesus and his followers, transgressors due to not agreeing with his interpretation of the word of God, and they will need God’s protection regarding people’s allegations of these transgressions.
Isaiah 51:7-8 – Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. 8For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; but My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.”
2 Chronicles 36:15-16 – The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.
Acts 7:52 – Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—
1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 – For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
And no matter how much the people try to curse Jesus and his followers, God will continue to bless them.
Numbers 23:3 – How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?
Genesis 12:3 – I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
A spiritual money belt/purse:
Luke 12:33 – Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Jesus is speaking about a spiritual sword in this scripture.
Ephesians 6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Isaiah 49:2 – He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
Revelation 1:16 – In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
And a spiritual cloak:
Isaiah 59:17 – He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
Jesus Is Not Advising People To Carry A Weapon In Luke 22:36
Jesus would not be advising the disciples to carry weapons when he clearly rebuked Peter for using a weapon in self defence.
Luke 22:49-51 – When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Matthew 26:51-52 – With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Jesus clearly stated ALL those who take up the sword will die by the sword. This was not meant for Peter only but for EVERYONE. Self defence is violence in the eyes of God.
Revelation 13:10 – He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
If Jesus meant literal swords in Luke 22:36, then when the guards came to arrest him, he would not have asked why he is being treated like someone who is inciting violence:
Luke 22:52 NIV – Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?
NLT – Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?
NASB – And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a man inciting a revolt?
Matthew 26:55 NIV – In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
NLT – Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day.
NASB – At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me.
Jesus did not condone physical violence of any kind and so there is a deeper meaning behind his instructions in Luke 22:36.
Jesus is clearly stating that he is being treated as one who incites violence and insurrection. Obviously, Jesus was not speaking about literal swords in Luke 22:36
So then, it is obvious that Jesus is not condoning violence nor is he speaking of a physical sword. Jesus is speaking of a spiritual sword in Luke 22:36, which is the word of God.
This is why Jesus stated
Matthew 10:34 – “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
The book of Luke says it this way:
Luke 12:51 – Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
As we can see, Jesus was speaking of a spiritual sword not a literal one.
This is why when the disciples responded and pointed out two literal physical swords, Jesus rebuked them for missing the point. Unfortunately, people are still missing the point today.
Luke 22:38 NIV – The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied.
Luke 22:38 CEV – The disciples said, “Lord, here are two swords!” “Enough of that!” Jesus replied.
Due to Jesus’ lack of explanation on this subject, Peter did not understand that he was referring to a spiritual sword at the time. And so, we find Peter carrying a sword, and ready to use it in self defence, until Jesus explains matters further to him, in the garden of Gethsemane in:
Matthew 26:51-52 – With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Read Next:
God’s Supernatural Provision: A Case Study
What Does The Bible Say About Self Defence?
I think it was about spiritual weapons and armor
Also preparing before going out for the gospel. God bless you
Thank you for your comment! God bless you.