Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Dunedan
"But they said: Nothing. Then said he unto them: But now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip; and he that hath not, let him sell his coat, and buy a sword."
Douay-Rheims Bible, Luke 22:36. Other translations are much more explicit; "he that hath no sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one."
Here we see Jesus instructing His followers to go armed. Not to carry dual-use tools such as axes or knives, but single-purpose weapons. Moreover, His instruction to sell the CLOAK to pay for the sword is indicative of the importance He places upon this: in the Middle Eastern world at the time a person's cloak was among their most important possessions; -so- important, in fact, that Old Testament law required that if a cloak was taken as collateral on a loan, the cloak had to be returned to the owner before nightfall of the same day (Exodus 22:26) so that the owner would not have to face the freezing desert night without a covering. And -this- is what Jesus says to sell, if needed, to buy a sword.
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Woah, wait. It's misleading to take stories out of context to justify certain ends. At this point in the story, Jesus is warning specific followers about tough times ahead. He's suggesting they be prepared for an enemy that will make things tough for them. He's not suggesting
all his followers to sell their cloaks to be sure they have their swords to bring to church.
You're quoting passages about Jesus speaking of his apprehension. And even so, these words perhaps should not be taken literally. It has been said this was Jesus' way to suggest that this was a time of extreme danger. As we know, Jesus didn't intend to start a rebellion or fight to the death to resist arrest. He even told Peter to put away his sword when he cut the High Priest's ear.