What Does Luke 22:49 Mean in the King James?

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

Luke 22:49 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The sword appears first as a question, so seeing violence coming does not make the blow inevitable.

THE MEANING

When you see harm coming toward someone close to you, your response is still taking shape. The question about striking holds open a space between seeing the violence and acting on it.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that once danger is visible, violence is inevitable: the people see what is coming, yet the strike remains a question.

THE ROOT

μάχαιρα

machaira

GROWS FROM

μαχ-

mach-

Fight, battle; the word family centers on combat.

English “sword” names the weapon; this Greek word belongs to a family that also names battle and fighting. Combat is already carried in the question, but the question still leaves the choice to strike unresolved.

ALSO GROWS

machē: battle, fight

μάχη

It makes explicit the conflict carried alongside the word for sword.

machomai: fight, contend

μάχομαι

It links the weapon to the act of fighting, showing that the question is about entering combat, not merely holding a tool.

THE PATTERN

Seeing violence does not make retaliation inevitable; there is still a threshold before the next act.

Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Proverbs 24:29 · KJVIt names the desire to answer injury in kind and leaves retaliation as a choice that can be refused.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Matthew 26:52 · KJVJesus interrupts the weapon’s logic by naming the violence that follows taking up the sword.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:17 · KJVIt marks a space between receiving harm and returning it.

THE THREAD

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Luke 22:51 · KJV

The question in 22:49 does not remain hypothetical: in the verse between, someone strikes and cuts off an ear. Here Jesus touches the injured ear and heals it, placing repair beside the violence without erasing the blow.

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