Was Jesus a pacifist?

from the old testament

• Whether or not Jesus was a pacifist is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• Matthew 10:34-36 teaches, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come 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 person's enemies will be those of his own household." Jesus clearly taught that following Him would lead to conflict.
• Jesus indicated that war would take place until the end. He accepted the reality of war despite His peaceful role on earth. Matthew 24:6 notes, "you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet." This appears to confirm other biblical passages (see Ecclesiastes 3:8).
• Jesus was often at odds with the Jewish religious leaders of His day. He even “overturned the tables of the moneychangers” in the temple because they were making God’s house into a “den of robbers” (Matthew 21:12-13). Were He a pacifist, He would not have done that.
• Jesus is seen as a warrior upon His next return to earth when He will defeat Satan and those who oppose Him in the Battle of Armageddon and at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:7-10). Only after this time will there be a new heaven and new earth in which there is total peace and no need for conflict or war.

implications for today

Some have seen Jesus as a peacemaker who stands opposed to all wars or violence. Those who take that view reference such Bible passages as Isaiah 9:6 that calls Jesus “the Prince of Peace” or the gospel account where Jesus tells Peter to put away His sword (John 18:11). Others argue that no one can love their neighbor as themselves or love their enemies as Jesus taught and still be involved in armed conflict (Matthew 5:44). While these are important discussions that highlight Jesus’ directive to live at peace with others whenever possible (Romans 12:18), they do not remove the important facts that Jesus teaches about conflict in this world.

Paul was clear that some people do evil and that believers are to live peaceably whenever possible, leaving vengeance to God. The Lord will right every wrong in the end. Yet until then, we will continue to live in a world that includes violence and sometimes involves even Christians in conflicts.

Scripture shows that Jesus was not a pacifist in the traditional sense. He lived peaceably on earth, yet spoke directly regarding the conflicts and wars that will take place until God restores all things in the end. While we long for peace and support it whenever possible, true peace will only be achieved when Jesus Christ rules in the new heavens and new earth.