Luke 22:49 Meaning and Explanation
“When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Seeing what is coming, the disciples ask Jesus whether they should strike with the sword.
What Does Luke 22:49 Mean?
The disciples connect the evening's talk of swords (verse 38) with the torches now surrounding them and ask for orders: 'Lord, shall we smite?' One of them - Peter, John tells us (John 18:10) - does not wait for the answer.
Their question is half right: they ask the Lord before acting, which is the right instinct. But zeal outran the reply. Much harm done in the Lord's name comes from asking him and then moving before he answers. The next verses give his actual will: no sword, and healing for the wounded. Courage was never the disciples' problem that night; listening was.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 22:49
What does Luke 22:49 mean?
Seeing what is coming, the disciples ask Jesus whether they should strike with the sword.