ANSWER: In this passage, Jesus instructed his disciples to carry a sword. A sword may be used either offensively or defensively. Clearly, Christ did not instruct them to use the sword to hurt or make war (Matthew 5:38-48; Matthew 10:16), but rather defensively, because the country into which they were being sent was very dangerous; filled with wild beasts and robbers. Those who hold that Christians may not defend themselves do so without scriptural support!