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Explanation for:
Matthew
10
:
34
Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.
13
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Once again, the Savior predicts significant tribulations, even more abundant than before, and foresees potential objections from His disciples, which He addresses in advance. He warns them to prevent any misunderstanding of His mission, stating, \\"I am not come to bring peace on the earth\\" (Matthew 10:34). This raises a question about why He instructed them to greet every household with words of peace. Similarly, the angels proclaimed, \\"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace\\" (Luke 2:14), and the prophets echoed this message. The reason for these declarations is that true peace is achieved when harmful elements are removed and divisions are made. Only in this manner can heaven and earth find unity. Just as a physician saves the body by amputating an incurable part, so a commander restores order by breaking the alliance of conspirators. Discord can destroy a false peace, leading to the restoration of true tranquility. The Apostle Paul also caused division among those who conspired against him (Acts 23:6), and the collusion against Nebuchadnezzar proved to be more detrimental than any conflict (1 Kings 21). Thus, unanimity is not always beneficial, as even brigands can come to an agreement. The strife present in the world does not stem from Christ's intent but rather from human will. Christ longed for unity in righteousness among all, yet division arose from human conflict. He reassures His followers, saying, \\"I am not come to destroy the world,\\" thereby affirming that the turmoil is not their fault; it results from human nature. Therefore, they should not be troubled by this unexpected conflict, for He came intentionally to provoke it. Thus, they should not be surprised by the reality of strife and malice, for when the wicked are separated, the heavens will unite with the righteous. Christ emphasizes this to bolster His disciples against the negative perceptions of others. Notably, He did not use the word \\"fight,\\" but the more striking term \\"sword.\\" If this sounds heavy and foreboding, do not be alarmed; He aimed to prepare them for daunting realities so that they would stand firm during trials. This choice of language was deliberate, ensuring that no one could claim He was misleading them with false reassurances. Hence, even concepts that could be presented more gently were rendered as formidable and serious.\\n\\nI will refer to another of Christ's prophecies and then return to my point. \\"I am not come to bring peace,\\" stated Christ, \\"but a sword\\" (Matthew 10:34), indicating not that He desired conflict, but that such would inevitably arise from the circumstances. \\n\\nFurthermore, division can indeed be constructive, which is why Christ proclaimed, \\"I came not to bring peace\\" on earth, \\"but a sword\\" (Matthew 10:34). There can be destructive unity as well as positive discord."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He stated, ‘What you hear in the darkness, proclaim in the light; and what you learn in whispered tones, share from the rooftops.’ Here, He reveals the outcome following this proclamation. Through faith in Christ, the entire world became fractured, with believers and nonbelievers present in every household, resulting in a righteous conflict unleashed upon the earth to bring an end to the harmful tranquility. This mirrors the actions of God as recorded in the book of Genesis against those who rebelled, who, having journeyed from the east, rushed to construct a tower that would allow them to reach the heights of heaven; thus, He confused their speech, as noted in Genesis 11. Similarly, David articulates a prayer in the psalms: ‘Scatter the nations that desire strife’ (Psalms 67:31)."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"\\"Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth.\\" Where is the understanding that everyone hears, \\"Christ came to reconcile all things in heaven and on earth?\\" (cf. Col. 1:20). Indeed, the Lord has declared peace, as the apostle states, \\"made peace for us\\" (cf. Eph. 2:14), and elsewhere, \\"to those who received Him, peace be upon them\\" (cf. Gal. 6:16). However, it is essential to recognize that He did not come to bring peace because through Him, the faithful are distinguished from the unfaithful. The sword, He says, is meant to sever the damaging attachments of the soul and to penetrate them with the arrow of His divine love."},{"author-name":"Apollinarius of Laodicea","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The cause of the division between the faithful and the unfaithful stems from the impending conflict. While it may appear appropriate to maintain harmony, it is emphasized that this does not imply a blanket acceptance of peace in every situation. You are called to seek peace with everyone; however, there are those who oppose your peace, and such opposition should not be tolerated. The kind of peace that God endorses is unique, embodying the essence of true tranquility."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"There exists both a positive peace and a negative peace. True peace flourishes among the virtuous, faithful, and just, as those endowed with the gift of a singular faith must share a unified approach to life. Faith originates from the word of God, is upheld by tranquility, and is sustained through love, as articulated by the Apostle: Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). However, when faith is absent of love, it fails to yield the fruits of righteous deeds. If the faithful become fragmented due to discord, it represents a destructive conflict; the Lord teaches: Every house divided against itself will not stand (Matthew 12:25). When the fellowship suffers division, it leads to its own demise, echoed by the Apostle's caution: If you reproach and accuse one another, beware lest you be destroyed by one another (Galatians 5:15). \\n\\nConversely, among the unbelievers and the wicked lies a malevolent peace, for those who thrive solely in evil must find some form of agreement in their wickedness. Unbelief and depravity stem from devilish influence and are perpetuated by the world. Thus, if the wicked find themselves at odds for any reason, it could be considered a beneficial conflict. Just as true faith and righteousness find their home in the unity of the good, where unbelief and wickedness are cast down, when discord arises among the faithful, faith and truth are compromised, giving rise to wickedness and disbelief. In a similar vein, among the wicked, unrighteousness and unbelief take root while faith and truth are diminished.\\n\\nTherefore, the Lord introduced divisions to the earth to dismantle evildoers' false unity. All—both righteous and unrighteous—once dwelled in the grip of evil, including those misled by ignorance into wrongdoing, as if confined in a single abode of disbelief. Consequently, the Lord wielded a sword of division among them; this sword is the word of truth, of which the Apostle states: ‘The word of God is living and active, and the point of it is sharper than any sharp sword: it penetrates to the very depths of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.’"},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The Lord declared, \\"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.\\" In sacred Scripture, the word of God is referred to as a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), symbolizing the incisive nature of the dual covenants.\\n\\nDo not assume that my purpose was to establish tranquility upon the earth; rather, my intent is to introduce division, setting a son against his father—since the son has turned away from the adversary. And to create a rift between a daughter and her mother—the people of God are called away from the secular community, distancing themselves from the harmful society of humanity, which Scripture designates as Babylon, Egypt, Sodom, and various other names. The tension between a daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law represents the separation of the Church from the synagogue that physically bore Christ, the Bridegroom of the Church. This separation occurs through the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). Thus, a man's foes are often those within his own household, with whom he has previously shared bonds through habit."},{"author-name":"John the Ladder","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8907e1ec5219e0658ef09_John%20the%20Ladder.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"The love of God surpasses even the affection for one's parents; anyone who claims to possess both loves is fooling themselves. It is stated, ‘No one can serve two masters’ (Matt. 6:24). The Lord declares, I have not come to bring peace on earth (Mt. 10:34), meaning peace among parents and their children or siblings who seek to serve Me, but rather conflict and division, to distinguish the God-fearing from those who seek worldly peace, the material from the spiritual, the fleshly from the heavenly, and the servile from the meek. For the Lord finds joy in the divisions that arise from a true love for Him."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Agreeing is not always beneficial; at certain moments, separation can be advantageous. The sword represents the message of faith, which detaches us from the influences of our family and loved ones, should they obstruct us in our pursuit of righteousness."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In light of the impending confusion and fear accompanying the preaching, He offers this warning. Do not think that I have come to bring tranquility to the world; I have not come to bring peace but a dividing sword. The theologian ponders, what does the sword signify? It represents a means of discerning the better from the worse, separating the faithful from the faithless, and igniting conflict between son and father, daughter and mother, and daughter-in-law and mother-in-law—the new against the old. Yet, at Christ's birth, the angels proclaimed, \\"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace\\" (Luke 2:14). The ancient prophets had foretold His peace, and He Himself instructed His disciples to seek peace upon entering homes (Matt. 10:12). So how is it that He states He brings not peace but a sword? This sword, in fact, is meant to usher in the peace that the angels and the prophets foretold. Through this sword, He calls forth love, which separates the believers from the non-believers; by its mighty influence, those bound by deep affection swiftly disengage from one another and find themselves easily parted. In another teaching, He illustrated its powerful impact, saying, \\"I came to cast fire upon the earth\\" (Luke 12:49). It was essential first to remove the unhealable, in order to calm the rest, both in relation to Himself and to God. Therefore, He speaks with such gravity, so that they might understand this and not feel distressed. He further elaborates on this topic using strong language, refining their understanding so that they may stand firm amid trials."},{"author-name":"Nicodemos the Haghiorite","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c895e07643831764b98b9d_Nicodemos%20the%20Haghiorite.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Reflect, dear ones, on the spiritual conflict for which our Lord entered the world, as He affirmed, 'I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34).' In this battle, our Saviour Jesus stands as the Commander and King, both powerful and glorious, full of wisdom and deserving of our love, surrounded by all the angels and saints. He does not wage war to impose His royal demands upon nations that oppose Him and gain wealth at their expense; rather, He chooses to become impoverished to enrich them. Envision Christ as the Sovereign who, through the abundance of His Divine and Human nature, guides the lives of all who follow Him."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"During that time, the Apostles, who had not yet been fully empowered by the Spirit, may have wondered, “Have You come to ignite a universal struggle on earth?” To counter these thoughts, the Heart-bearer Himself cautions them, proclaiming, “DO NOT THINK THAT I COME TO BRING PEACE ON EARTH; I DID NOT COME TO BRING PEACE, BUT A SWORD!” What a fierce declaration! It appears astonishing coming from our Lord’s lips. Did You not instruct the apostles to extend peace to every household they entered? Did not the heavenly hosts, at the time of Your birth, proclaim glory to God and peace on earth? Were You not referred to by the prophets of old as the Prince of Peace? Indeed, You are our peace, yet now You state that Your purpose is not to bring peace, but rather a sword to the earth. How are we to comprehend this proclamation? The wise interpreters clarify this by stating: “By the sword, He indicates a profound love for Himself” (as noted by E. Zigaben), a love that distinguishes believers from non-believers and possesses the strength to sever ties even in the strongest earthly affections. Furthermore, in another instance, He highlights its powerful effect by saying, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth” (Luke 12:49). Another interpreter, Blessed Theophylact, explains, “The sword represents the word of faith that can detach us from the way of life of our families and relatives whenever they obstruct our commitment to God’s purpose.” The Savior is indicating that we should not separate ourselves from them without just cause, but only when their presence impedes our faith. St. Chrysostom remarks, “True peace is achieved when that which is diseased is removed and when the hostile is separated. This is the only way for Heaven to unite with the earth. A physician preserves the healthy parts of the body by excising the incurable member. Uniformity is not always a virtue; even thieves exhibit agreement. Christ desired unity among His followers in matters of righteousness, yet division led to conflict. He did not declare, ‘I have come to bring conflict,’ but, rather, a sword—a more severe reality. He intended to prepare their hearts for harsh realities so they would not falter when faced with trials. It is clear that He did not seek to persuade them through flattery or conceal difficulties from them.”"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Do not assume that the Lord’s message implies that discord and conflict are the aims of His arrival on Earth. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:6, Luke 2:14), and He embodies our peace (Ephesians 2:14-16). Instead, He indicates that disunity and conflict are inevitable outcomes of His presence among us. The source of this turmoil is not Christ or His Gospel, but rather the malevolence within humanity. The conflict did not arise from Christ's will but from human nature. Christ intended for all to be united in righteousness, yet as people have scattered, strife has ensued. When the unholy are divided, then those who are virtuous will come together. He did not proclaim, “I have come to bring conflict,” but rather something more grave—the sword. He aimed to prepare their hearts for harsh truths, ensuring they would stand firm amidst adversity. Thus, even matters that could be expressed lightly are cast in a more daunting light. While Christ did not instigate this strife, but rather human wickedness did, He speaks as if He were the cause. This way of speaking is characteristic of Scripture, as seen in another verse where it is written, “God gave them eyes, that they should not see” (Ezekiel 12:2). Such a sentiment is echoed here as well."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When we proclaim our faith in Christ, our love for Him must surpass all others, including our own parents. Ultimately, His will, as revealed through His commandments, must take precedence over any human desires. While we are called to honor and care for our parents, especially in their later years, we must resist their demands if they lead us to disregard His commands. If your affection for your father leads you to compromise My commandments in an effort to demonstrate your love for him, then you are unworthy of Me. Furthermore, if, as My follower, you cannot endure the hardships and trials that God allows in your life, if you do not take up your cross and follow Me, then you are not worthy of Me."}]}
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