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Response
Jesus’ teachings often puzzled His listeners, and that remains true today. Modern readers of the Bible may be perplexed by some challenging and seemingly controversial statements, like 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.”
Jesus came to bring a sword instead of peace? What does this mean? We refer to Him as the Prince of Peace «For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. », (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus also emphasized loving one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44;Luke 6:27-28), forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15;18:21-22;Mark 11:25;Luke 6:37), and non-retaliation (Matthew 5:38-39, 44;Luke 6:27-29). He even cautioned Peter when Peter struck a soldier’s servant, saying, “Put away your sword” «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). So, how should we interpret the words “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”?
This challenging statement becomes clearer when we consider the surrounding verses. Those who try to use Jesus’ statement about bringing a sword instead of peace to question the Lord’s credibility must overlook the complete teachings of Scriptures and remove the verse from its context.
Matthew
Chapter 10 begins with Jesus sending His disciples on a mission, providing them with instructions and crucial information. He tells them to focus on Israel “but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”, (Matthew 10:6), perform miracles (verse 8), proclaim the arrival of the kingdom (verse 7), etc. He also warns that they will be hated because of Him (verse 22).
In this chapter, Jesus reveals a conflict between those who believe in Him and those who don’t—a conflict that is still evident in our world. The cross reconciles humanity with God, but among humans there will be a divide, as not everyone will sign up for Team Jesus. While we’re called to pursue peace (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14), we must understand the separation Jesus brings.
Jesus is and always has been a polarizing figure. The Pharisees were divided about who He was “Therefore said some of the Pharisees, ‘This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day.’ Others said, ‘How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?’ And there was a division among them.”, (John 9:16). Among the crowds who heard Jesus speak, “some said, ‘He is a good man.’ Others replied, ‘No, he deceives the people’” “And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, ‘He is a good man,’ others said, ‘Nay; but he deceiveth the people.'”, (John 7:12). There was a variety of opinion on His identity, as the disciples reported: “Some say [You are] John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” “And they said, ‘Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.'”, (Matthew 16:14).
Truth, by its very nature, is distinct from untruth. The sword of truth that Jesus wields divides even family members: “For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household’” (Matthew 10:35-36; quoting Micah 7:6). Due to people’s acceptance or rejection of the truth, Jesus was correct in saying He came to bring not peace, but a sword.
Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions in 2 Corinthians 6:14–16 that confirm that Jesus had not come to bring peace, but a sword: “What do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” No one can serve two masters « No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. », (Matthew 6:24); to pick up one’s cross and follow Christ is to turn one’s back on the world.
The Christian Post once featured an article on the late apologist Nabeel Qureshi. Qureshi described his conversion from Islam to Christianity as “the most difficult decision” in his life. He further expressed, “I asked God to kill me because I lost my family. I lost my friends in the mosque. I lost all the people who loved me the moment I became Christian” (Smith, S., “Former Muslim Nabeel Qureshi Prayed for God to Kill Him After Converting to Christianity,” July 19, 2016). This type of shunning is an example of the truth of Matthew 10:34 and is a struggle faced.
Embraced by numerous former Muslims.
In a “Christian environment,” wholeheartedly dedicating oneself to Christ can also lead to conflict. The dedicated disciple of Jesus might face ridicule, be labeled as “self-righteous,” misunderstood, or humiliated. Even in ideal circumstances, the way of life of a sincere Christian is distinct from that of someone who simply acknowledges the faith.
Associating with Jesus comes with a significant price. It entails a rearrangement of priorities, self-sacrifice, and the potential estrangement from loved ones. Just as a spouse expects complete devotion, Jesus requires the same. The remarkable aspect is that He initiated the agreement by sacrificing His life for our sins. He took the first step, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us as we respond.
The declaration, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,” should offer solace to those journeying a similar path to that of Qureshi. Nothing takes God by surprise, and the hardships endured by Christians in this world will ultimately result in glory. If Jesus was already aware of the divisive impact He would have, then we can have confidence that He knows what He is accomplishing. Meanwhile, we pray for our unbelieving loved ones, look for opportunities to share the gospel, and lead lives that honor God.
