Luke 22:36-38

22:36 He said to them, “But now, the one who 1  has a money bag must take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag 2  too. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 22:37 For I tell you that this scripture must be 3  fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ 4  For what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 5  22:38 So 6  they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” 7  Then he told them, “It is enough.” 8 

Luke 22:49-51

22:49 When 9  those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should 10  we use our swords?” 11  22:50 Then 12  one of them 13  struck the high priest’s slave, 14  cutting off his right ear. 22:51 But Jesus said, 15  “Enough of this!” And he touched the man’s 16  ear and healed 17  him.

1 tn The syntax of this verse is disputed, resulting in various translations. The major options are either (1) that reflected in the translation or (2) that those who have a money bag and traveler’s bag should get a sword, just as those who do not have these items should sell their cloak to buy a sword. The point of all the options is that things have changed and one now needs full provisions. Opposition will come. But “sword” is a figure for preparing to fight. See Luke 22:50-51.

2 tn Or possibly “beggar’s bag” (L&N 6.145).

3 sn This scripture must be fulfilled in me. The statement again reflects the divine necessity of God’s plan. See 4:43-44.

4 tn Or “with the lawless.”

sn This is a quotation from Isa 53:12. It highlights a theme of Luke 22-23. Though completely innocent, Jesus dies as if he were a criminal.

5 tn Grk “is having its fulfillment.”

6 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ comments about obtaining swords.

7 sn Here are two swords. The disciples mistakenly took Jesus to mean that they should prepare for armed resistance, something he will have to correct in 22:50-51.

8 sn It is enough. The disciples’ misunderstanding caused Jesus to terminate the discussion.

9 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

10 tn The direct question using “if” in Greek is not unusual (BDF §440.3).

11 sn “Should we use our swords?” The disciples’ effort to defend Jesus recalls Luke 22:35-38. One individual did not wait for the answer.

12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

13 sn One of them. The unnamed disciple is Peter according to John 18:10 (cf. also Matt 26:51; Mark 14:47).

14 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.

15 tn Grk “But answering, Jesus said.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified in the translation.

16 tn Grk “his”; the referent (the slave of the high priest mentioned in the previous verse) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

17 sn When Jesus healed the man’s ear he showed grace even to those who hated him, following his own teaching (Luke 6:27-36).