Matthew 26:52

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“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”

Does this state that people who “live by the sword will die by the sword?”

This verse is usually not read correctly by the casual reader. It actually reads, “all they that take the sword shall perish WITH the sword,” not by the sword, and there is a big difference. Here is the point: Christ is explaining that a sword cannot, of and by itself, protect anyone! One who attempts to use a sword for personal protection will ultimately die—despite the fact that there is a sword in his hand. His point is that we should not trust in swords, but rather in God. People should never trust in physical weapons for protection. This does not say that one carrying a sword, gun, knife, chain, or other weapon for protection, will die a violent death by the same kind of weapon. Suggested reading:

• War, Killing and the Military