Earlier, when Jesus sent out the 72 disciples, he spoke of "a moneybag, sack, and sandals." Now he speaks of "a money bag, sack, and sword." He is speaking symbolically, referring to a new time of persecution.
The disciples miss the point, take him literally, and produce two swords. His response amounts to: "Enough of that."
We're sometimes taught to be quick with the sword, and we've all got your own "swords" - glaring daggers at someone, making cutting remarks.
Throughout this Lent, we'll watch Jesus face some "swords:" Mockery, manhandling, torture. The early Christians applied a passage from Isaiah to him:
He was led like a sheep to the slaughter
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
How did he do that? How could you do that? Ask him.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw