"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." It seems pretty straightforward to me.
2006-10-14 12:47:47 · 11 answers · asked by Mike C 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jehovah’s statement in Eden that he would put enmity between the seed of his Adversary and the seed of “the woman” did not change Him from being the ‘God of peace.’ ( Ro 16:20; 1Co 14:33) The situation then was the same as in the days of the earthly life of his Son, Jesus Christ, who, after referring to his union with his heavenly Father, said: “Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword.”
Jesus’ ministry brought divisions, even within families (Lu 12:51-53), but it was because of his adherence to, and proclamation of, God’s righteous standards and truth. Division resulted because many individuals hardened their hearts against these truths while others accepted them. This was unavoidable if the divine principles were to be upheld; but the blame lay with the rejecters of what was right.
For an individual to endure bitter opposition from those whom he loves is not easy. But it can be done if he truly appreciates that nothing is more important than maintaining a proper relationship with the Creator and with his Son Jesus Christ. The fact that even in our day many have put up with trying circumstances in their own households in order to serve God can encourage one to endure difficulties without giving up.
There is no reason for this to cause undue apprehension. Actually it is an opportunity to prove love for God’s truth. And it is also a cause for rejoicing, as Jesus said: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens; for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.”
God does not take our love for the truth for granted; he lets us be tested to prove our love. So those today who learn God’s truth can expect that the time will come when they will need to prove their love for the truth.
2006-10-14 16:35:12 · answer #1 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mat 10:34 At first glance this saying sounds like a contradiction of Isa 9:6 ("Prince of peace"), Lk 2:14 ("on earth peace to men") and Jn 14:27 ("Peace I leave with you"). It is true that Christ came to bring peace-peace between the believer and God, and peace among humans. Yet the inevitable result of Christ's coming is conflict-between Christ and the Antichrist, between light and darkness, between Christ's children and the devil's children. This conflict can occur even between members of the same family.
2006-10-14 22:15:09 · answer #2 · answered by morris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well look around and see what it does now in the world when someone mentions His name. If you are reading the context before and after this verse it's meaning that for instance a daughter will be saved and love the Lord, and her brother won't be, and it will cause problems. Not everyone will feel the same way about Jesus when you get saved, and it will turn people against each other.
The whole context in Chapter 10 is about Jesus sending out the disciples and telling them what to expect. It's an incredible chapter. It's about people turning against you if you love Him. It's about people getting mad at you if you love Him, but He says to stay strong and don't disown Him, it's great.
2006-10-14 19:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by trainer53 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus meant that the truth would bring divisions and conflict. The truth has separated families because some would believe while others of the same household would not. And also on a larger scale as well.
2006-10-14 19:50:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The word sword means a division,for example look at all the churches and cults that have nothing to do with each other, there will be a division among the truth and the lie.
2006-10-14 19:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can not take one verse from the bible like that and think it`s something bad....You will have to pray and ask god to show you. Start reading way ahead of that and all the way to the end to understand what the one verse is talking about......
I will tell you this Jesus was speaking to the Disciples....You pray to God and he will show you. It`s all very simple if you ask God for wisdom...If you really wanna know then he will show you, but to me this looks like a bashing question and without Jesus no matter what any one here tells you you will not understand.....
2006-10-14 19:57:47 · answer #6 · answered by Sandra♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think He meant that once people heard his message, some would believe it and some wouldn't. Some would go His way, others would reject Him. People would start taking sides. Those who believed would be persecuted. Peace would not abound - it would be Non-Christians vs. Christians. Read on in verses 35 and 36.
2006-10-14 19:56:36 · answer #7 · answered by Rainfog 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't totally understand this statement either. It could mean a lot of things. Its just like the rest of the Bible though everything is open to the readers own interpretations. This is why so many find it so hard to follow or believe. Unfortunate but true.
2006-10-14 19:51:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't take it out of context. Jesus came to set the world straight and to show people Who God is thru Himself. People thought He came to save them from the Romans and He was telling them that no He wasn't here for that and that they would have to do this and that in order to follow Him and it wouldn't be easy.Not once did He ever condone anykind of violance.
2006-10-14 20:47:24 · answer #9 · answered by Brianne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much to bring the sword unto our sins... To defeat it and save us all. Amen LOL...
2006-10-14 19:50:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋