Eleventh International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

When Jesus spoke the words, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36), what was he truly asking of his disciples, and more importantly, why? Was Jesus truly condoning violence, or did he understand that violence was inevitable? Indeed, many might dismiss the words of Jesus Matthew 10:34 and Luke 22:36 as impulsive, if not antagonistic. However, I argue they are anything but. This work sees these Scriptures juxtaposed between the reality of social revolution and political rhetoric. Jesus is a non-passive introspective figure; a determined revolutionary. Therefore, I submit Matthew 10:34 and Luke 22:36 are critical in locating the true, revolutionary Jesus whose nationalistic identity and empathy toward oppressed Jews fueled a mission most misinterpret even today. This work reflects upon the intentions of in Matthew 10:34 and Luke 22:36 and how they connect to the larger dynamic of his life. Thus, my purpose is to illustrate how an understanding of a politically and socially conscious Jesus should be approached both scholarly and theologically, and moreover, how Jesus should be interpreted contemporaneously.