What is the meaning of the saying; "Peace be with you"? And why don't Christians today use it?

Question

I know Muslim say this, but even Jesus said it (or in other words, "May you have peace"):

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." (Luke 24:36)

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:19)

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)

...Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" (John 20:26)


Christians, what do you think?

Answer 1

I say it at least weekly in Church.

But outside of Church? I have old hippy friends who say it all the time, and black/wannabe friends who say either "peace" or "peace out" too. Does that count?

Answer 2

In Bible times, just as we do today, people have standard greeting when the meet each other. We would probably say "Good morning" or "Have a nice day", both intended to speak some kind of a blessing into that person's life.

The Jews used the expression "Shalom", which is often translated "Peace", but carries more of the idea of "blessing". So the closest modern equivalent would probably be "Be blessed" or "God bless you".

The Greeks used the expression "Grace", which again was a speaking of "blessing" into a person's life. If you read the writing of Paul, you will find that as you often wrote to an audience of both Jews and gentiles, he begins each of his letters with the phrase "Grace and Peace", using the "blessing" of both culture.

You probably right that today we do not often enough speak a "blessing" on those around us. It is something that it would not hurt (and would actual help) if we were to do it. If nothing else, it might make us thing a little more about how we can "bless" that person.

Be blessed!!

Answer 3

The type of Christian you speak of Brother are those who build their houses on the sand. Luke 6: 46-49 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” James 1: 22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” We can have an awareness of all biblical doctrines, we can know all the theological terms, we may be able to translate the Bible from the original Greek and so on, but when we get serious about living for Jesus we have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. If we hear the word and then straightaway forget it (or worse still ignore it) then, instead of "Well done thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25: 21 and 23) we will hear the words "I never knew you" Matthew 21:28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." King Solomon, for all his wisdom, never found Salvation because of disobedience to God. God bless <)))><

Answer 4

Peace Be Unto You

Answer 5

Catholics still say this to one another in the Mass with a handshake as a gesture of mutual peace,It would be a nice thing for all Christians to adpot this saying and use it more often especially in a world that frequently curses instead of blessing.
Peace be with you!

Answer 6

Peace Be With You

Answer 7

I don't see it as a trite thing at all, but it IS still said, by lots of people, not just Christians. But it has been shortened, the way we tend to shorten everything IMO, idky, LOL!

Peace!

Answer 8

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Paul's concluding benediction invokes the blessing of the triune God: grace from the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. At the end of his letter, Paul identifies the solution to many of the Corinthians' problems. The Holy Spirit, who dwelled in each of them, could empower them to live righteously. Furthermore the Spirit could reconcile them to each other. The could love and encourage each other instead of fighting each other. They needed God's grace, not selfishness; God's love, not anger; and communion, not conflict.


In the verses you write of Jesus gives a commission to the disciples to carry on his work, not to start a new one.

Answer 9

do they still curse children to death for shouting???

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. While he was on his way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him. "Go up baldhead," they shouted, "go up baldhead!" The prophet turned and saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two shebears came out of the woods and tore forty two of the children to pieces. (2 Kings 2:23-24 NAB)

Answer 10

Yes Christ did say that.

Christians say "God bless you" or God's blessings on you" or "Go with God" etc. They are not the same words as "Peace be with you" but are of the same mind set.

God Bless You.