The phrase “live by the sword, die by the sword” originates from Matthew 26:52 in the Bible. Jesus says these words to Peter after Peter uses a sword to cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest who had come to arrest Jesus.
The full verse reads: “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'” (Matthew 26:52 ESV).
So what does it mean to “live by the sword and die by the sword”? Let’s explore this concept more fully.
Living by the Sword
To “live by the sword” means to use violence, force, and aggression to get what you want. It refers to solving problems through fighting, war, and physical conflict rather than through peaceful means.
Someone who lives by the sword:
– Uses threats, intimidation, and violence as their main tools for achieving goals
– Does not hesitate to harm others to get what they want
– Sees force as the primary way of asserting dominance and control
– Has a mentality of “might makes right”
Historically, many kings, warlords, and conquerors lived by the sword. They built empires through military conquest and subjugation of others through force.
In our everyday lives, those who are quick to anger, seek vengeance, join gangs, or use violence to prove themselves are also living by the sword. Their first instinct is to use their “sword” of force and aggression to respond to challenges.
The Bible warns against living by the sword. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword when Peter attempted to resist Jesus’ arrest by force. Paul wrote:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 ESV)
As Christians, we are called to live at peace with others as much as it is up to us (Romans 12:18). Violence and force should not be our go-to solutions.
Dying by the Sword
What then does it mean to “die by the sword”? It refers to perishing as a consequence of one’s own violent actions. There are a few ways this plays out:
1. Retaliation – If you continually use violence against others, they may eventually retaliate in kind. Those who live violently often die a violent death at the hands of their enemies. If you frequently draw your “sword” to attack others, someone may end up drawing their “sword” against you.
“He who lives by the sword dies by the sword” is sometimes interpreted as “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” Your aggression will come back upon you.
2. Execution – In biblical times, the governing authorities had the power to execute criminals who had committed capital offenses (see Romans 13:4). This was often done by the sword. If you committed murder or other serious crimes, you could face execution by the sword – the same instrument you used to kill.
3. Warfare – Those who take up physical arms in war often die from the same means of warfare. Fighting “by the sword” leads to perishing “by the sword” on the battlefield. Millions of soldiers over the centuries have died by the very same weapons they chose to wield.
4. Rebellion against God’s will – Dying by the sword also serves as a metaphor for the spiritual consequences of living violently and contrary to God’s ways. Even if someone avoids retaliation from others, they will still ultimately face the judgment of God.
Jesus warned that “all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” And in Revelation 13:10 it says, “If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.”
Choosing to persist in violent sin often leads to spiritual decay and destruction. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
Practical Applications
While a full prohibition of swords and all weapons is unlikely to be embraced by most governments today, “live by the sword, die by the sword” still has relevant applications:
– On an individual level, it’s a warning to avoid solving problems through violence, threats, and overt aggression. These often provoke an aggressive response.
– It’s a call to find alternative ways to resolve disputes, promote justice, and stand for principles. Physical force should be a last resort.
– It encourages dependence on God rather than brute power to fight spiritual battles. “Our weapons have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4).
– It’s a sober reminder that violence often begets more violence. Jesus calls us to “turn the other cheek” (Matt. 5:39) when attacked rather than retaliate.
– For nations, it’s a warning of the dangerous cycle of militarism. Constant war and violence breed more war and violence. Peace often requires creative solutions beyond force.
– It calls leaders to wield power wisely and justly lest it lead toharm for themselves and others. Historically, unconstrained tyrannical power often ends in destruction.
– For the church, it’s a warning not to try to advance the faith through political force, coercion, or violence but through love.
– On a broader level, it’s an admonition that the means are just as important as the ends. Noble goals do not justify unethical means.
Jesus’ Rebuke of Peter in Context
When Jesus told Peter “all who draw the sword will die by the sword”, it came on the heels of Peter attacking Malchus, the high priest’s servant, with a sword. Jesus sternly told Peter to put his sword away.
It’s key to understand the context behind Jesus’ statement (Matthew 26:47-54):
1. Jesus was being arrested even though He was innocent of any crime. He had foretold His death and knew it must come to pass. He was laying down His life willingly (John 10:17-18).
2. Peter was attempting to prevent Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. His actions, though motivated by a desire to protect Jesus, were actually working against God’s larger plan of redemption.
3. Jesus declared plainly that He could call upon legions of angels if He wanted to resist capture. But doing so would contradict God’s plan.
4. Jesus submitted Himself to those arresting Him rather than use force. His Kingdom was advancing by different means than swords and violence. The prophecy had to be fulfilled that He would be condemned as a criminal (Isaiah 53:12).
5. Though Peter’s heart was in the right place, his violent response was inappropriate. Jesus directly commanded him to stop.
6. Peter living and dying by the sword could not prevent the powerful plan of God from being accomplished. In fact, Jesus’ willing death was the very means of Peter’s redemption.
So in context, Jesus’ rebuke reminds us that God’s ways are higher than man’s ways (Isaiah 55:9). It is futile to try to override God’s purposes through force and human schemes.
Jesus introduced a different paradigm of sacrifice and servanthood to transform hearts rather than simply exerting control. This is the way of the cross.
Old Testament Precedents
While “live by the sword, die by the sword” originates from the words of Christ, the concept builds upon some Old Testament precedents.
1. Genesis 9:6 – “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.” This establishes capital punishment for murder as a proportional punishment.
2. Exodus 21:23-25 – The “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” standard set limits on retaliation. Punishment should not exceed the crime. This was intended to prevent excessive vengeance.
3. Leviticus 26:25 – God warns that if His people reject His laws, “I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute vengeance for the covenant.” Sin would beget punishment.
4. Deuteronomy 19:21 – “Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” Justice was to be impartial.
5. Psalm 37:15 – “Their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.” The weapons of the wicked would turn back upon them.
6. Revelation 13:10 – “If anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.” A sobering warning of consequences.
So the principle of consequences matching actions has roots in the Old Testament. Jesus’ words echo these precedents about proportional justice and warnings that violence breeds violence.
New Testament Reiterations
While Jesus was the first to use the exact phrase “live by the sword, die by the sword”, other New Testament passages reinforce the same theme:
– Revelation 13:10 – “If anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.” This reiterates that capital punishment may be the fate for those who murder by the sword.
– Romans 12:17-19 – “Repay no one evil for evil… Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.” Retaliation escalates rather than resolves conflict.
– Matthew 5:38-39 – “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.” Echo of “eye for eye” principle from the Old Testament.
– Romans 13:4 – “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.” Governing authorities have power to punish evil. But take care you are not on the receiving end.
– Matthew 7:1-2 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged.” The way we judge and treat others will be turned back upon us.
– Galatians 6:7-8 – “For whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” We reap the consequences of our own actions, whether good or bad.
– James 2:13 – “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.” If you are unmerciful, you may find yourself receiving unfiltered justice rather than mercy.
So the New Testament contains different ways of articulating the same concept – our actions come back upon us, for good or ill. Violence often provokes more violence.
Examples of Living and Dying by the Sword
History provides many sobering examples of those who lived by aggression and force eventually perishing by the same means:
– Genghis Khan (died 1227) – The Mongol warlord built history’s largest land empire through merciless conquests. But continuous wars eventually took their toll. Some records suggest he died when a Western Xia princess he had raped arranged for him to be stabbed.
– Hernán Cortés (died 1547) – The Spanish conquistador destroyed the Aztec empire through superior weaponry and violence. But he fell out of political favor at the end of his life and died a broken, impoverished man.
– Maximilien Robespierre (died 1794) – The French revolutionary leader sent thousands to the guillotine during the Reign of Terror. But he ended up on the guillotine himself after rivals turned against him.
– Benito Mussolini (died 1945) – The fascist dictator of Italy allied with Hitler and sought to build a new Roman Empire through conquest. But he was executed by firing squad after getting ousted during World War 2.
– Saddam Hussein (died 2006) – The Iraqi dictator maintained his grip on power through fear and aggression. But he was eventually captured by opposing forces, given a trial, and executed by hanging.
– Drug kingpin Pablo Escobar (died 1993) – Escobar trafficked billions in illegal drugs and killed thousands. But his violent life ended abruptly when Colombian National Police gunned him down.
While not all tyrants and criminals meet such violent ends, these examples demonstrate the principle of living and dying by the sword in action. In many cases aggression and disregard for human life set in motion a cycle of violence that came back to claim the perpetrators themselves.
Contrasting Examples
In contrast to those who live by the sword, there are also inspiring historical figures who rejected violence in the face of injustice and endured great hardships as a result:
– William Tyndale (died 1536) – Tyndale disobeyed English authorities to translate the Bible into English and was executed by strangling then burning at the stake. But his non-violent resistance helped spread God’s Word.
– Martin Luther King Jr. (died 1968) – Despite abuse and bomb threats, Dr. King led nonviolent protests to advance civil rights. His willingness to die for the cause ultimately helped turn the tide against segregation.
– Nelson Mandela (died 2013) – Though Mandela spent 27 years in prison, he rejected vengeance and helped lead South Africa’s emancipation from apartheid through peaceful means after his release.
– Mahatma Gandhi (died 1948) – Gandhi brought British rule over India to an end not by force but through mass non-violent civil disobedience. Just before his assassination, he even forgave his attacker.
These courageous individuals put their own lives on the line by speaking truth in love rather than retaliating. In doing so, they broke cycles of violence and demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance matched with sacrificial love.
Dying to Self Rather than Dying by the Sword
Ultimately Jesus modeled something even more radical than non-violent resistance. He willingly laid down His life on the cross though perfectly innocent (1 Peter 2:23).
By entrusting Himself to God rather than reviling in return (1 Peter 2:23), Jesus broke the power of violence over humanity. His sacrificial death on the cross enables redemption for those who live by the sword.
That’s why Jesus told Peter to put away his sword. He was ushering in a Kingdom based on sacrificial love, not the sword. This love absorbs violence rather than multiplies it.
Paul says we no longer live for ourselves but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). We are called to die to ourselves daily by putting sin to death (Romans 8:13). This is a type of death “by the sword” – putting the old way of living to death in order to experience new life in Christ.
So paradoxically, following Jesus may lead to getting persecuted and struck down. But this “dying” by voluntarily laying down our rights and resisting sin results in eternal life.
Peter himself was later crucified upside down for his faith according to church tradition. But his legacy lives on forever. He learned that truly living comes through dying to self.
Our primary weapons now must be spiritual, not physical. Things like prayer, love, repentance, and forgiveness defuse evil rather than inciting it. This is the way of the cross.
Conclusion
In summary, “living by the sword and dying by the sword” teaches several key truths:
– Using force and violence often provokes retaliation in kind rather than resolving conflict.
– We reap the consequences of our own actions, whether good or evil. Our choices come back upon us.
– Submitting to God’s ways and timing is higher than resisting by force.
– Following Jesus may involve non-violent resistance and sacrifice, but brings eternal life.
– Our struggle now is primarily spiritual, requiring spiritual weapons.
– Sacrificial love breaks cycles of violence better than using the “sword.”
May we have the courage to live out these principles as Jesus’ followers, breaking free from the way of the sword.