Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 22:36

"And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword." — Luke 22:36 (ASV)

But now. The Savior says the times are changed. Before, He sent them out only for a short time. They were in their own country. Their journeys would be short, and there was no need for them to prepare for a long absence or for encountering great dangers. But now they were to go into the wide world, among strangers, trials, dangers, and needs. And as the time was near, as He was about to die, and as these dangers pressed on, it was proper that they should make provision for what was before them.

Regarding A purse (see commentary on Matthew 10:9).

He intimates that they should now take money, as it would be necessary to provide for their needs while traveling.

Regarding the Scrip (see commentary on Matthew 10:10).

And he that hath no sword. There has been much difficulty in understanding why Jesus directed His disciples to arm themselves, as if it was His purpose to make a defense. It is certain that the spirit of His religion is against the use of the sword, and that it was not His purpose to defend Himself against Judas.

But it should be remembered that these directions about the purse, the scrip, and the sword were not made with reference to His being taken in the garden, but with reference to their future life. The time of the trial in Gethsemane was close at hand; nor was there time then, if no other reason existed, to go and make the purchase.

It altogether refers to their future life. They were going into the midst of dangers. The country was infested with robbers and wild beasts. It was customary to go armed. He tells them of those dangers—of the necessity of being prepared in the usual way to meet them. This, then, is not to be considered as a specific, positive command to procure a sword, but an intimation that great dangers were before them, that their manner of life would be changed, and that they would need the provisions appropriate to that kind of life.

The common preparation for that manner of life consisted in money, provisions, and arms; and He predicts this way of life for them by giving them directions commonly understood to be appropriate to it. It amounts, then, to a prediction that they would soon leave the places they had been accustomed to and go into scenes of poverty, need, and danger, where they would feel the necessity of money, provisions, and the means of defense. All, therefore, that the passage justifies is—

1. That it is proper for people to provide beforehand for their needs, and for ministers and missionaries as well as any others.

2. That self-defense is lawful. People surrounded by danger may lawfully defend their lives. It does not prove that it is lawful to make offensive war on a nation or an individual.

Let him sell his garment. This refers to his mantle or his outer garment (see commentary on Matthew 5:40).

The meaning is that he should procure one at any expense, even if he is obliged to sell his clothes for it—intimating that the danger would be very great and pressing.