Matthew Chapter 26 · Verse 52

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

τότε Then G5119
τότε Then
Strong's: G5119
Word #: 1 of 21
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
λέγει said G3004
λέγει said
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 2 of 21
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῆς· his G846
αὐτῆς· his
Strong's: G846
Word #: 3 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς, Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς, Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 5 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Ἀπόστρεψόν Put up again G654
Ἀπόστρεψόν Put up again
Strong's: G654
Word #: 6 of 21
to turn away or back (literally or figuratively)
σου thy G4675
σου thy
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 7 of 21
of thee, thy
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαχαίρᾳ sword G3162
μαχαίρᾳ sword
Strong's: G3162
Word #: 9 of 21
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
εἰς into G1519
εἰς into
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 10 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόπον place G5117
τόπον place
Strong's: G5117
Word #: 12 of 21
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
αὐτῆς· his G846
αὐτῆς· his
Strong's: G846
Word #: 13 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πάντες all they G3956
πάντες all they
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 14 of 21
all, any, every, the whole
γὰρ for G1063
γὰρ for
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 15 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
οἱ G3588
οἱ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαβόντες that take G2983
λαβόντες that take
Strong's: G2983
Word #: 17 of 21
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
μαχαίρᾳ sword G3162
μαχαίρᾳ sword
Strong's: G3162
Word #: 18 of 21
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
ἐν with G1722
ἐν with
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 19 of 21
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
μαχαίρᾳ sword G3162
μαχαίρᾳ sword
Strong's: G3162
Word #: 20 of 21
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
ἀπολοῦνται shall perish G622
ἀπολοῦνται shall perish
Strong's: G622
Word #: 21 of 21
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

Analysis & Commentary

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 (τότε λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, Ἀπόστρεψον τὴν μάχαιράν σου εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς· πάντες γὰρ οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται)—The command ἀποστρέφω ('turn back, return, put back') is urgent. Jesus immediately stops Peter's violence. The proverbial saying 'all who take the sword will perish by the sword' teaches the principle of violent reciprocity (Genesis 9:6; Revelation 13:10). The verb λαμβάνω (lambanō, 'to take up, to wield') suggests initiating violence, not legitimate defense or justice (Romans 13:4).

This isn't pacifistic prohibition of all force but rejection of violence to advance God's kingdom. Jesus's kingdom doesn't come through military conquest (John 18:36). Peter's sword couldn't prevent the cross—God's redemptive plan required Jesus's death. Misguided zeal that opposes God's purposes, however well-intentioned, earns rebuke. The principle warns that those who live by violence (as first resort, as primary method) die by violence—violence begets violence. Christ's kingdom advances through suffering love, not coercive power.

Historical Context

Jesus's teaching reflects Old Testament wisdom: 'He who digs a pit will fall into it' (Proverbs 26:27); 'Violence covers the mouth of the wicked' (Proverbs 10:11). The early church took this seriously—Christians generally refused military service for three centuries, seeing violence as incompatible with loving enemies (Matthew 5:44). Only after Constantine did Christianity accommodate warfare. Jesus's rebuke established that the gospel advances through martyrdom, not militia; through witness, not weapons; through cross, not crusade.

Questions for Reflection