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Did Jesus
come to bring peace or not?
Matthew 10:34; Luke
2:14; 22:36
and Mark 9:50; John 14:27; 16:33; Acts 10:36
- No Peace
- (Matthew
10:34) - "Do not think that I came
to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35"For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter
against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household."
- (Luke
12:51) - "Do you suppose that I came
to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52for
from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against
two, and two against three..."
- (Luke
22:36) -
"And He said to them, "But now, let him who has
a purse take it along, likewise also a bag, and let him who has no sword
sell his robe and buy one."
- Peace
- (Mark
9:50) -
"Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make
it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one
another."
- (John
14:27) - "Peace I leave with you; My
peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not
your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
- (John
16:33) - "These things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you may have peace..."
- (Acts
10:36) -
"The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace
through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)."
Context is the key
to Jesus' words. In
Matthew 10:34, Jesus is
speaking about the divisions that will come, even among family members, over
their belief or lack of belief about Him. In that respect, He has come
to bring division. This context is also related in
Luke 12:51.
Luke 22:36
Jesus is preparing the disciples for His departure. He is telling them
that they will need to provide for themselves and even protect themselves.
Up to that time, everything they had needed had been provided. But,
after the crucifixion and ascension, they would again be "on their own."
They would need to work, provide for their families, and, if need be,
protect their own; hence, the mention of the sword. Of course, the
Bible teaches that Christians are to be peaceful, loving, and forgiving.
But it also teaches that we are not required to sit idly by when persecuted
unrighteously.
The rest of the "peace" verses, teach just that:
peace.
Jesus did not contradict Himself. When we look at
His words in context, we can see what He was saying and that there is no
contradiction at all.
Return to
Bible Difficulties - Matthew to
Mark
Return to or Bible Difficulties -
Luke to Acts
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Matthew J. Slick, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
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