| abstract | - "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword" (Matthew 10:34) is one of the controversial statements reported of Jesus in the Bible. The saying has been interpreted in several ways, by Christians and non-Christians, to support several mutually-incompatible conclusions. Its main significance in that context is that it is often offered as evidence that Jesus advocated violence—a view that is repugnant to some Christians, such as the peace churches, and some other Christian denominations. Many Christians believe that the sword is a metaphor for ideological conflict and that Jesus is not advocating violence.
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