Did Jesus come to bring peace to the world, or war? Unity, or division?

Question

The "full" quote, according to the NASB translation of the Bible, reads (Jesus speaking):

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household." (Matthew 10:34-36 NASB)

The Lukan parallels read:

"I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!" ... "Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three."... (Luke 12:49,51-53 NASB)
"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26 NASB)

And the related Gospel of Thomas 16 (non-canonical) (SV) reads:

"Perhaps people think that I have come to cast peace upon the world. They do not know that I have come to cast conflicts upon the earth: fire, sword, war. For there will be five in a house: there'll be three against two and two against three, father against son and son against father, and they will stand alone."

I AM SAM I AM said:
I think everyone will agree that Jesus is the son of God and he is always a man of peace. infact the bible say's that he is the prince of peace.

Uh, no SAM, not everyone would say that, perhaps the majority of the world would not even say that. Your thinking is suspect

Answer 1

jesus came to bring peace, through war. like me, he realized that that is the only way to accomplish it.

Answer 2

John 3:16-17

Answer 3

I think everyone will agree that Jesus is the son of God and he is always a man of peace. infact the bible say's that he is the prince of peace.

all through his ministry when he was on this earth, he taught the ways of the bible and spoke in many parables. he healed the sick / fed the hungry / even raised the dead.

But he had a mission by God to do the works that God commanded him to do for the sake of his glory. He was sentenced by man to be crusified for the sake of being beaten and eventually hung on a cross at calvery to die.

he then was resurrected by God and rose to heaven as is now sitting at the right hand of God. Now since he accomplished the works of God that God commanded of him.

God has granted him the keys to heaven and hell , and only he will be the one to judge mankind. Now for the Christian beleiver's who have accepted Jesus as their savior, and repented of all the sins they have done before they were saved,

Will be a part of the up-coming Rapure that is suppose to happen in the future. Now since God himself is the only one who know's when this will take place. Not even the son of God know's when this will take place.

That is why Jesus keeps reminding us people of the earth to stay alert and keep looking up, cause you never know when your salvation draweth nigh.meaning that the second coming of Christ will be the awaiting Rapure that all Christians are patiently waiting for.

When this happens, all people that have repented of their sins, excepted Jesus into their hearts, and were saved, will infact be the one's who will be caught up in the air to meet Jesus in the sky.

The mightly trumpets will sound, and all the earth will not only hear those mighty trumpets, but all of mankind on this planet will finally know that the rapure is taking place because, all the angels in heaven will be there, and then Jesus himself will meet all who have been saved in the air and take themn back to heaven with him.

Now after that happens, then Jesus will bring judgement apon the earth to all those that mocked him, God and the bible. And then God is going to allow satan (the devil) to have his way with the people of the earth.

And satan or the devil will pour out all the demonic hatred onto mankind .the bible says that the devil will be loosed for a while, but the reason his rampage on earth will be so short is because the human race would not survive such torture and pain and suffering.

During this time or as the bible calls it "the revelations" part of the bible that will last 7 years. The bible even says that these times will be like nothing ever seen in all human history.

The bible says that the hearts of men will fail them, because the things that will happen will be so frightening and global chaos.

But the good news is that during the tribulation God will allow men the opportunity to repent of their sinful life, and he will redeeme them.

Then after the war of Armagedon (the final war of all the angels in heaven and all the angels of the devil) will battle , but God and all his angels will defeat satan / the devil / and all the followers of the devil. and cast them into the eternal prison called hell.

Then God / Jesus / All the angels / and all of mankind who gave their hearts to jesus and who's names that were in the book of life, will find themselves on a new earth / a new universe / and a new heaven / for God himself said in the bible, i make all things new. And they will all live in perfect peace forever with God.

Answer 4

The person (historical figure that actually existed) came to bring understanding, and therefore peace. The character (fictional character in the Bible that was made up by Rome) was created to control the masses through strict adherence to the rules in a book, and through conversion by means of war.

Answer 5

You know what? Chicken butt. ( Sorry, I couldn't resist. )

I don't think that there is a dedicated Christian here who hasn't experienced both in this life. You feel peace and live in peace with God at times, especially when heavy in the word.

But there are other times, like when witnessing to relatives, or just other people, that you get a sense of the division and strife that God's word can generate.

So my answer, both.

Answer 6

Jesus came to bring a peace that passeth all understanding. However his teachings were so volatile that they set son against father and mother against daughter. He brought peace that caused turmoil. Could it be more confusing?

Answer 7

this deals with the conflict of the devil and man. Christ is telling us that he came to set the captives free from sin and satan's bondage. that there will be conflict between men of God and men of satan and this can occur within the family as well. but He will come in peace at armageddon to set up His kingdom for a thousand years.

Answer 8

Jesus came to this world for one reason... as an example to humanity!

He did not come here to diversify... we caused that to ourselves with our racial descriminations and material wealths. he did not come here to start conflicts or wars... our thirst for power and wealth have consumed our hearts and caused it to ourselves!

Jesus came to earth merely to be an example, that to as much as God is love, he is also strict! When God could've stopped all that Jesus endured during the days of persecution, he allowed it to happen! Why? To show us that the path to salvation is not as easy as everyone say it is!

Answer 9

I think you know this answer, so why keep on asking?