Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” 33 He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” 34 But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.” 35 He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. 36 He said to them, “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” 38 Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”
Jesus’ Last Supper discourse is the last time Jesus spoke to his disciples before his death. Jesus was instructing the disciples who were to become the leaders of the nascent Christian Church, the restored Israel. He explained that leadership and authority meant serving others (Lk. 12:37; Jn. 13:1-20) just as he did.
Jesus called Simon’s name twice which meant that what he was about to say was important. He revealed that Satan had demanded to test all of the apostles whom Jesus had been protecting (Jn. 17:12). Jesus assured Peter that he prayed for his faith not to fail like Judas’ faith had failed (Acts 1:16-19) and told Peter that he should strengthen his brothers when he turned back after the crucifixion. Peter declared his commitment and loyalty to Jesus and said that he was willing to go to prison or die for him but Jesus, knowing the events that would unfold shortly, told Peter that he would deny knowing him three times before the cock crowed, before the break of dawn.
Jesus reminded his disciples that while he protected them and sent them on their previous mission, they lacked nothing (Lk. 9:1-6). Now he warned them that circumstances were changing, and their opponents had become more hostile to their mission. They were to prepare differently for future missions and take supplies including money and a sword because they needed to be prepared for the challenges ahead. The warning was to all of his followers, not just the twelve. When Jesus referred to buying a sword he was not promoting violence. It was a symbolic meaning for the tough times ahead. By continuing to follow Jesus’ teaching they will experience persecution and in some cases death just as Jesus experienced persecution and crucifixion. Jesus referred to a prophecy from Isaiah, “'Therefore I will give him his portion among the many, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, Because he surrendered himself to death, was counted among the transgressors, Bore the sins of many, and interceded for the transgressors (Is. 52:12). Jesus’ upcoming betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion are part of God's divine plan that must be fulfilled. The disciples showed Jesus two swords indicating that they misunderstood the meaning of what he had told them.
Almighty God, we thank You for the protection You give to all who love You and ask that You strengthen our faith so that we may persevere through our trials and complete the tasks You entrust to us. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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