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Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace or a Sword?

Some argue that the Bible is contradictory concerning whether Jesus came to bring peace or a sword, or division. However, the solution to this alleged contradiction in the Bible is extremely simple.

Scriptures – Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace or a Sword?

Jesus Came to Bring Peace

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Mark 9:50

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
Acts 10:36

Jesus Came to Bring a Sword, or Division

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.
Matthew 10:34-36

51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.
Luke 12:51-52

He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
Luke 22:36

The Answer – Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace or a Sword?

Peace With God and One Another, Division With the World

The passages that talk about Jesus bringing peace are saying that Jesus came to bring peace between sinners and God, and peace between people in the sense that Christians should not initiate violence.

The passages that talk about Jesus bringing a sword, or division, are saying that Jesus’ message will create division between Christians and the world. Christians will be attacked for what they believe, and Jesus allows his disciples to take a sword to be able to defend themselves when necessary.

The passages that talk about Jesus bringing peace versus the passages that talk about Jesus bringing a sword, or division, have completely different contexts, so there is absolutely no contradiction.

Foundational Principles Regarding Bible Difficulties

There are some foundational principles that apply to all alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible. To read more, see Bible Difficulties: Foundational Principles.

Related to “Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace or a Sword?”

To read more answers to alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible, see “Contradictions” in the Bible Answered.

These books are also excellent resources: