As previously indicated, verses 52-54 contain material which is unique to Matthew’s Gospel. The account emphasizes the contrast between the nonviolent attitude of Jesus and that of his disciples. Put your sword back into its place (a fairly literal rendering of the Greek) is expanded by Phillips (“… into its proper place”) but abbreviated by both New Jerusalem Bible (“Put your sword back”) and New English Bible (“Put up your sword”).

All who take the sword will perish by the sword is also a literal rendering of the Greek text, and this is representative of what is found in most translations. Jesus thereby affirms that it is better to suffer injustice than to use violence as a means of protection or retribution, and this affirmation is underscored by his willingness to walk the route of suffering and death.

To make the meaning of take the sword clear, translators can say “use the sword” or “fight with the sword.” Perish by the sword can be “will die by means of a sword” or “will be killed by a sword.” In cases where an active is required, it can be “it is with a sword also that someone will kill him.”

Sometimes, in languages where swords are not known, translators have wanted to express the meaning of Jesus’ words in general terms, such as “people who are violent and go to war will themselves be killed by violence and war.” But in light of this scene, where one disciple has actually used a sword, it is best to keep this term in the translation.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .