Luke 22:38

“And they said, Lord, behold here are two swords, etc.] That is, the disciples said so, as the Persic version expresses it; for they understood Christ's words literally; and two swords being among them, and which they might bring with them from Galilee, to defend themselves from thieves, and robbers, which infested the roads between that country and Jerusalem; and one of these, as appears afterwards, belonged to Peter; they mention them with a desire of knowing they were sufficient, or whether they must provide themselves with more: and he said unto them, it is enough; or, “they are sufficient”, as the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it; which must be understood either…”

“two swords . . . enough--they thinking He referred to present defense, while His answer showed He meant something else.”

“Are two swords - The Galileans, it is said, often went armed. The Essenes did so also. The reason was that the country was full of robbers and wild beasts, and it was necessary to carry, in their travels, some means of defense. It seems that the disciples followed the customs of the country, and had with them some means of defense, though they had but two swords among the twelve. It is enough - It is difficult to understand this. Some suppose that it is spoken “ironically;” as if he had said, “You are bravely armed indeed, with two swords among twelve men, and to meet such a host!” Others, that he meant to reprove them for understanding him “literally,” as if he meant that they were then to…”

“Here are two swords - Many of Galilee carried them when they travelled, to defend themselves against robbers and assassins, who much infested their roads. But did the apostles need to seek such defence? And he said; It is enough - I did not mean literally, that every one of you must have a sword. Luke 22:39”

“22:38 That’s enough: The disciples’ two swords were probably not enough to defend the whole group, and Jesus elsewhere rejected violence (22:49-51 // Matt 26:52). Jesus might have meant that two swords were sufficient to fulfill Isa 53:12. Or perhaps he meant, “Enough of this foolish talk—you are misunderstanding me.””

“It: Mat 26:52-54; Joh 18:36; Co2 10:3, Co2 10:4; Eph 6:10-18; Th1 5:8; Pe1 5:9 Luke 22:39”