22:38a

So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.”: This statement implies that two of the disciples had swords with them. Because Jesus mentioned buying a sword in 22:36, they took these two swords and showed them to Jesus. In some languages you may need to include some of this implied information. For example:

The disciples ⌊showed him⌋ two swords ⌊that they had with them⌋. “See, Lord, we have these,” they said.

So they said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So they said is more literally “and they said.” It continues to refer to the apostles with whom Jesus had eaten the Passover. Refer back to them here in a natural way in your language. After you have translated this chapter, be sure to read it through in your language to see if the references to them are clear and natural.

22:38b

That is enough: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as That is enough is more literally “Enough it-is.” There are three ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It means, “That is enough talking about this.” It was an idiom used to bring the topic of conversation to an end. Here is another way to translate this:

Enough of that! (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, NET Bible, Good News Translation note, probably Revised English Bible, Berean Standard Bible)

(2) It means, “Two swords are enough ⌊for our needs⌋.” For example:

That will be enough ⌊for us⌋.

(possibly Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, English Standard Version)

(3) It means “Two swords are plenty ⌊since we will not fight⌋.” This is an ironic statement.

For many English versions, it is not possible to be certain which interpretation is being followed. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Jesus did not want his disciples to talk any more about swords. Many commentators support this interpretation. It also fits with what Jesus said in 22:51, after Peter used his sword to try to defend Jesus.

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