Why did Jesus say 'I came not to send peace but with a sword'?

Answer 1

Christianity WILL cause division. Expect it.

Reading AROUND the questioned verse is ALWAYS important for getting the meaning clarified. The scripture you site is from Matthew 10:32-39, where Jesus says:

"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. "For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his household. . "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. "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.(NAS) (Luke 12:51-53)

Here Jesus is telling people that becoming a Christian will not be easy and will cause divisions. That people around them will not necessarily understand what they're doing and will often not be happy about it. Making the choice to become a true Christian follower of Jesus will make a person the object of ridicule and attack, even from their own family. " He was saying that this is how it is going to be. We have been forewarned.(John 16:3)

Becoming a true Christian UNITES all fellow Christians together in a very strong bond, (1 Corinthians 1:10)(John 17:20-23; Galatians 3:28), but can often strain and break ties with those around us who do NOT respect that stand(1 Peter 4:4)(Jude 10). Our love for God and his son must be strong enough to endure this test of faith(Luke 6:22, 23)

and trust that God will strengthen us to endure whatever comes our way, and handle the situation the best way possible.(Philippians 4:13)(Matthew 6:27+33)(2 Peter 3:3+4)(Matthew 10:16-20)(Matthew 24:9,13,14)(John 16:1-4)(Matthew 5:11+12)