Why would Jesus Christ say He came to bring a sword, not peace?

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Why would Jesus Christ say He came to bring a sword, not peace?

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The Christian way of life brings peace to those who live it, so Jesus Christ's comments in Matthew 10:34 seem puzzling at first. He said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."

In order to understand what He meant, we need to look at the context in which He said these words. The audience He addressed expected and anticipated the establishment of the Kingdom of God in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. Christ wanted His disciples to understand that it was not yet time for Him to establish the peaceful Kingdom. Instead, He warned that Christians would face hostility for living God's way of life.

It's not that Christ instigated animosity, but rather that unconverted people resented God's truth by nature. The apostle Paul expressed this in Romans 8:7: "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be." When all people repent and are converted, God's way of life will bring peace to the entire earth (Isaiah 2:2-4; 9:7). But, until that time, Christians will encounter conflict and opposition over their beliefs and practices.

For more insight, please read our booklet Who Is God?

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Comments

  • dapo234
    The Christians world I see and wacth like the killing of each across the globe. They have no power to stop the killng, rather they become cheer leaders of destruction--lieing and deception all over the world. I hope I'm not too anxious for peace. The fact that human beings have the propensity to see peace in them--but they do not--that frightened me. I that who is in me is greater than who is in the world--the Lord is--I'm not afraid. When would we get the truth for ourseves to begin to act on the truth--to love our neighbor as ourselves. For me to love my neighbor as myself. It is journey for me. I'm on that journey--being perfected by the Lord. I say Hallelujah!
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