And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.

This is usually what 'Christians' use to support their position on being armed and ready to kill.

All by itself Luke 22:36 might be taken to mean such a thing.    Let's examine both the immediate context and the entirety of the related texts to see if this interpretation holds true.

Here's the preceding verse:

35 He also said to them, “When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”  “Not a thing,” they said.

Those following Jesus always had what they needed.   Next verse:

36 Then He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one.

Here's the famous instruction of Jesus to arm ourselves for battle.  But is this to be taken literally?  Let's keep reading for the answer.   Also notice that Jesus told them to sell their robes.  More on that later.

Jesus then makes reference to his fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12:

37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws. Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment.”

He will be counted as a outlaw.

Now this is where it really gets interesting.  Let's look at the next verse from multiple translations:

38 “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.”“Enough of that!” He told them.   (HCSB)

The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” “That’s enough!” he replied. (NIV)

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.(KJV)

They said, “Look, Master, two swords!” But he said, “Enough of that; no more sword talk!”(MSG)

The disciples told him, “Lord, we already have two swords!” “You still don’t understand,” Jesus responded. (TPT)

As you can see this verse is very different between translations.  On the surface a reader of the KJV or NIV might take this verse to mean that Jesus is telling them that two swords is adequate for their purpose.   On the other hand, the other translations clearly reveal that Jesus was admonishing their lust for weapons.  Those translators believe Jesus to have meant:

"Enough of that; no more sword talk!" 

"That's enough!"

"You still don't understand" 

Now with that in mind, go back and read your favorite translation and you should see that Jesus could be condemning their talk of being armed instead of actually meaning that two swords are adequate. 

Before we continue in the context to prove Jesus's meaning, consider this.......There were at least 12 grown men in the room and only two swords.  They clearly weren't arming for battle as those with weapons were a minority.  Also, open your favorite search engine and and ask how the 12 disciples died.  See if there is any reference to them making war with their weapons.  Surely if Jesus really meant for them to use their weapons there would be some account, but there is not.  Most of them, however, were martyred without harming anyone.

Getting back to the Luke account, Jesus and the disciples then head to the garden where Jesus prays while the disciples struggle to stay awake.  See Luke 22:39-46.

Then Judas betrays Jesus:

47 While He was still speaking, suddenly a mob was there, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss Him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

The mob then seizes Jesus.

49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear.

One of the sword carrying disciples still didn't understand.

51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, He healed him.

 Jesus admonishes the use of the sword and heals the injured man.  This is the only time in the entirety of the New Testament when one of these two swords gets used and Jesus immediately chastises them.

52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal? 53 Every day while I was with you in the temple complex, you never laid a hand on Me. But this is your hour—and the dominion of darkness.”

So above we see that the mob has come out with swords and clubs as if Jesus was a criminal.  This is what Jesus was referring to when he spoke of Isaiah's prophecy and brought up the swords. It was likely intended as a figure of speech to warn them of the approaching confrontation.  He was being treated as if he were an armed outlaw. 

Remember also where we learned that Jesus told them to sell their robes?  What might they expect based on that instruction?

11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.

34 And they divided His clothes and cast lots.  (Luke 23)

Notice that any robe he may have been wearing was replaced and his clothes were later sold.  Could that be why he suggested that his disciples sell their robes?  Could it have been a veiled prediction of what was to come soon? 

Let's also have a look at the Matthew 22 account:

52 Then Jesus told him, “Put your sword back in its place because all who take up a sword will perish by a sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and He will provide Me at once with more than 12 legions of angels?

Jesus tells us not to fear as he has 12 legions of angels at his disposal.  There is no reason for us to get scared and believe that we need to harm someone to protect ourselves.  Jesus still has those multitudes of angels to protect us!  Nothing or no one can harm us without permission!  Look at what happened a few moments earlier in Luke 22:

31 “Simon, Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat.

Notice that the Enemy had to ask permission to act against Simon.  Let that sink in.  Not only are there 12 legions of angels to protect us, but Satan has to ask permission!

If bad things are allowed to happen to us, we shouldn't blame the aggressor.  Instead we should get on our face and ask the Almighty why He chose not to protect us!

Let's summarize what we have so far:

• The verse that is often used to justify one's desire for weapons actually means quite the opposite.  Jesus wasn't saying that two swords were ample.  He was saying that there had been enough talk about literal sword possession.  
• The two swords out of the 12+ men are only used one time for which the disciple was admonished.  
• The majority of these men were martyred without any mention of a fight.  
• Satan has to ask for permission to harm us.
• Jesus has 12 legions of angels to protect us.  

Let's have a look at something else Jesus had to say in Matthew 10:

34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Again, Jesus speaks of bringing the sword.  But is this literal or figurative?  Let's continue to see...

35 For I came to turn
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be
the members of his household.

Notice that Jesus clearly states that he came to turn families against one another.  Does he mean that we will literally be taking up swords against each other?  Of course not.  When one gets very serious about following the teachings of Jesus they quickly find themselves at odds with even their closest loved ones.

Continuing we see that Jesus had some really interesting things to say in Luke 6:

27 “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you,

He commands us to love our enemies and to do good to those that hate us.  Can we express either of those things with a weapon?

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Should we pray for them before or after we use our weapons on them? 

29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also.

There is nothing about seeking retaliation or defending oneself.

And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either.

Admittedly, most claiming to follow Jesus would defend their possessions diligently instead of following this command.

30 Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. 31 Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

We've all made some bad choices in our lives.  Let's forgive instead of being armed to kill.

32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full.35 But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return......

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.....  How does one show love to their enemies while carrying a weapon?  If you fear what they may do to you and then harm or even kill them, should you give them a hug and a kiss or maybe a dozen roses?  Does that fulfill Messiah's command?

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Do not judge.  Do not condemn.  Forgive.  If I believe that someone may harm myself or others and I take physical action against them, I've judged that they are guilty, I've condemned them possibly to death.  I did NOT forgive them.  This is exactly opposite of what Messiah has commanded us to do.   Remember, Jesus allowed himself to be killed and so did the bulk of the disciples.  See also the story of Stephen:  Acts 7:54-60.  Be sure to notice that Stephen didn't judge or condemn, but instead allowed himself to be killed while asking the Almighty to forgive those that were killing him!

Many will justify this disobedience to Messiah by believing they need to protect their family members but again we need to remember what our Master said:

37 The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  (Matthew 10)

In other words, if our love for our family members causes us to disobey Messiah's instruction then we are not worthy of him.  Let that sink in.

We've seen that the one verse we've used to justify our lust for weapons doesn't hold any water when researched more carefully.  We've also seen that we have to violate several of Messiah's commands to hold that position.  Additionally we know that the Enemy can't touch us without Father's permission.

So why do bad things happen to us?  The explanation is here:

The Discipline of Jesus: Vengeance of the Covenant.