Luke 22:49
What does Luke 22:49 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:49 means
Seeing what is unfolding, those around Jesus ask, “Lord, shall we smite with the sword?” Their question reflects confusion and fear, attempting to apply His earlier words about swords to this crisis. They want to defend Him, but they have not grasped the way of the cross. Prayerlessness fuels rashness. Their appeal to the Lord still shows some restraint, yet in the heat of the moment guidance is not awaited. The verse captures the disciples’ divided hearts—loyal yet misguided. It warns that zeal without understanding can escalate conflict. Jesus will soon rebuke violence and heal, making clear that His kingdom advances not by force but by faithful suffering and divine power expressed in mercy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
KJV
King James Version · 1611When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when they that were about him saw what would follow, they said, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when those who were with him saw what was coming, they said, Lord, may we not make use of our swords?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And those about him, having seen what was about to be, said to him, `Sir, shall we smite with a sword?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they that were about him, seeing what would follow, said to him: Lord, shall we strike with the sword?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they who were around him, seeing what was going to follow, said [to him], Lord, shall we smite with [the] sword?
Context
After Jesus exposes Judas’s hypocritical kiss, the disciples, alarmed, propose armed resistance. Before He answers, one of them acts, cutting off the high priest’s servant’s right ear. Jesus will immediately intervene to stop the violence, heal the wound, and confront the arresting authorities about their unjust methods. This sequence contrasts human impulse to fight with Jesus’ chosen path of submission and compassion, revealing the character of His kingdom in the face of injustice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 22:38
And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
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