‘I Did Not Come to Bring Peace but a Sword’

Jesus Christ said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household’” (Matthew 10:34-36).

Why did Christ make this startling statement?  

Some believe the sword Jesus referred to represents a call to challenge oppressive government and economic systems and fight for justice. Others interpret the sword as a symbol of the internal struggle people experience when confronting their sins as they follow Christ.  

Such ideas entirely miss the depth and breadth of Jesus’ statement. He meant that His teachings and instructions could give rise to conflict and separation between those who fully embrace His words and those who reject them—potentially generating divisions and estrangements within families. The profound nature of Christ’s message requires that His disciples promise to place God above all else, including the religious beliefs and customs observed by their own family members.

Difficult is the way leading to eternal life

It’s vital to understand that genuine Christianity is not merely an intellectual or theological exercise. Neither is it an emotion-driven, give-your-heart-to-the-Lord moment that can fade away over time. Rather, it’s a lifelong commitment made at baptism (Hebrews 10:19-23) by people who have deeply repented of their sins and pledged to fully follow Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, Lord, Master and soon-coming King. They recognize that “difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Christ’s dedicated followers must steadfastly endure criticism, adversity or persecution because their primary motivation is not earthly aspirations or approval from others (Hebrews 10:32-33). Rather, they pursue wholeheartedly the spiritual “prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). They place absolute trust and faith in God and His Word, the Bible (Hebrews 10:38; Romans 10:17). And they are resolutely obedient to His perfect laws (James 1:25), including observing the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath and annual Holy Days (Exodus 20:8; Leviticus 23:1-44).  

As they abide in God’s way of life, keeping His commandments, they earnestly anticipate His marvelous gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23) and the breathtaking prospect of serving with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God on earth following His second coming (Isaiah 11:6-9). (To learn more about that time, download or request our free study guide The Gospel of the Kingdom.)

Yet in this life Christ’s disciples with this clear objective will meet resistance. They may well be confronted by close family members may become troubled and offended by the decision their loved one has made.  

But why? People’s ideas are typically a product of generations of handed-down teachings and traditions. And they’re often unable or unwilling to grasp why someone would pursue such a different and seemingly radical approach. Such negative reactions can be anticipated by Christ’s true followers, as He said He would “set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother” (Matthew 10:35). Equipped with this warning, they can remain undaunted.  

I am acutely aware of such resistance because I faced it personally.

Conventional Christian doctrines challenged

I grew up in a large, close-knit family that included my father, mother, three brothers and four sisters. Our family and all our relatives were of the Roman Catholic faith. We regularly attended Sunday mass in our local parish and often went to mass on weekdays. My brothers and sisters and I attended Catholic elementary school which was taught by dedicated Dominican nuns. When we entered public high school, we attended classes in Catholic doctrine at our parish one night a week throughout the school year, instructed by Jesuit priests.  

As a youth I consistently followed Catholic teachings, never doubted their authenticity, partly because I was taught that the Catholic Church was a prominent global organization with vast numbers of members. But at age 19 while still living at home, commuting to university classes and working nights, my perspective began to change.  

This came about as I started listening a radio program that challenged, from the Bible, many long-standing, conventional Christian doctrines and traditions. I also began ordering reading material the program offered and learned much more about the genuine truth of Scripture. When I finally stopped attending Catholic mass and began observing the seventh-day Sabbath and no longer ate biblically defined unclean foods, such as pork and shellfish, my parents became distressed and angry.  

One day they told me I had to either return to the Catholic faith or move out of the house. While I greatly loved and respected my parents, I knew I could not abandon the wonderful truth I had learned from Scripture. So I chose to leave home.  

Through this event I personally experienced Jesus Christ’s declaration that “a man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Even with that separation, I did my best to maintain a positive and respectful relationship with my parents by calling, writing and visiting them. Within a few years they softened their stance, and we resumed our close relationship.

God’s way of life brings peace of mind

Although my situation may have been uncommon, other disciples have been willing to turn away from various Christian organizations teaching false doctrines despite antipathy from family members and friends.  

By holding firm to scriptural truth, they stood the test of another statement Jesus made: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). This means that devotion to God must always supersede one’s love for even the closest of relatives (Matthew 22:37).  

While Jesus Christ expects much from His disciples, He does not leave them alone and isolated in the world. Instead, He unites them with other likeminded individuals in His Church who become their spiritual family members.  

Moreover, Christ has given His “called, chosen and faithful” people marvelous peace of mind because they trust Him implicitly (Revelation 17:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:16). As the apostle Paul told the Christians in Philippi, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  

Even as Jesus’ “little flock” of followers (Luke 12:32) live in the world and face struggles and troubles like everyone else, they maintain a steadfast, calm and faithful mindset (1 Corinthians 15:58). This is because Jesus, as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), promised His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give 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).  

So, while Jesus did not bring peace to the world at His first coming, He does bestow peace on the zealous individuals who are faithful to Him and His words (Romans 2:10; Colossians 3:15).  

Jesus Christ will bring peace to the world at His second coming

Although the world today is anything but peaceful, the time is approaching when, at Jesus Christ’s second coming, all people on earth will have the marvelous opportunity to experience perfect peace (Isaiah 2:2-4; 26:3).  

Until then, He tells His loyal, beloved disciples: “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).