Matthew 26:52

52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Matthew 26:52 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 26:52

Then said Jesus unto him
That is, unto Peter,

put up again thy sword into its place,
or sheath. This Christ said not only to rebuke Peter for his rashness, but to soften the minds of the multitude, who must be enraged at such an action; and which was still more effectually done by his healing the man's ear: and indeed, had it not been for these words, and this action of Christ's; and more especially had it not been owing to the powerful influence Christ had over the spirits of these men, in all probability Peter, and the rest of the apostles, had been all destroyed at once.

For all they that take the sword, shall perish with the sword.
This is not to be understood of magistrates who bear not the sword in vain, are ministers of God for good, and revengers of evil works; but of private persons that use the sword, and that not in self-defence, but for private revenge; or engage in a quarrel, to which they are not called; and such generally perish, as Peter must have done, had it not been for the interposition of almighty power. Though this seems to be spoken not so much of Peter, and of the danger he exposed himself to, by taking and using the sword, and so to deter him from it, but rather of these his enemies: and as an argument to make and keep Peter easy and quiet, and exercise patience, since, in a little time, God would avenge himself of them; and that the Jews, who now made use of the sword of the Roman soldiers, would perish by the sword of the Romans, as in a few years after the whole nation did.

Matthew 26:52 In-Context

50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him.

51 Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?"