Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

MATTHEW 26:52KJV
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Matthew 26:52 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:52 mean?

Matthew 26:52 records Jesus telling a companion to put away his sword rather than continue using it during Jesus’ arrest. Jesus gives a warning about the danger of armed violence: those who take up the sword expose themselves to death by the sword.

The command comes immediately after the companion has struck the servant of the high priest. “Put up again thy sword into his place” means to return the sword to where it belongs. The repeated image of the sword links the action Jesus stops with the danger he describes.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:52

  • “take” — λαμβάνω (lambanō): This word can mean “take” or “take up.” Here it carries the sense of taking hold of a sword for use, rather than merely owning one.
  • “perish” — ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi): This word can mean “die” or “be destroyed.” In Jesus’ warning, it describes the deadly outcome associated with taking up the sword.

Why Matthew 26:52 matters

  • Jesus addresses a specific act during his arrest. His words come after one of his companions has drawn a sword and cut off the high priest’s servant’s ear (Matthew 26:51).
  • Jesus presents force as an available choice, not a necessity. In the next verse, he says he could ask his Father for more than twelve legions of angels, a picture of a vast armed host (Matthew 26:53).
  • The warning stands alongside Jesus’ acceptance of what is happening. He then asks how the Scriptures would be fulfilled if events did not happen this way (Matthew 26:54).

Where else these words appear

“again” Greek G654 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
  • 2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

“sword” Greek G3162 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
  • Luke 22:36 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.
  • Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

“perish” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“place” Greek G5117 · used in 88 verses

  • Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
  • Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
  • Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.