35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. 37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. 38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. (Luke 22:35-38 KJV)
Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus
Jesus then spoke about the changing circumstances they would face (Luke 22:35). He reminded them that when he sent them out without purse or bag, they lacked nothing. They affirmed, “Nothing, Lord.” This showed Christ’s care and provision. His servants may experience lack, but they are never truly forsaken.
Now, however, they must expect things to be different. He would soon suffer as a criminal (Luke 22:37): “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Once this was fulfilled, the Scriptures concerning him would be completed.
Therefore, they must prepare for difficulty. He said, “Let the one who has a purse take it,” and “Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” This was to show that they would face danger and hardship, not that they should literally arm themselves. The true sword they would need was spiritual—the sword of the Spirit.
The disciples said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” Jesus replied, “It is enough” (Luke 22:38). Some think he spoke ironically, implying that two swords were obviously insufficient. But his meaning was that they misunderstood—physical weapons were not their defense. God would be their shield and their help (Deuteronomy 33:29).