Was Jesus a pacifist?

Quick answer

Jesus was not a pacifist. True peace will only be established when Jesus reigns eternally.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A pacifist is generally defined as a person who is opposed to the use of violence for any reason. According to this definition, Jesus cannot be defined as a pacifist, since He acknowledged the reality of conflict and even declared that His coming would bring division, not peace (Matthew 10:34–36). He taught that wars would continue until the end of time (Matthew 24:6) and that He will return as a warrior to defeat evil at Armageddon (Revelation 20:7–10). While Jesus lived peaceably and taught love for enemies (Matthew 5:44), He did not deny the presence of violence in a fallen world nor did He advocate for it. We, however, are called to live peaceably and to pursue peace when possible, leaving vengeance to God (Romans 12:17–19). Ultimately, true and lasting peace will only come when Christ establishes His eternal kingdom in the new heavens and new earth.

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.

UNDERSTAND

Jesus acknowledged conflict and division, not pacifism.
Jesus will return as a warrior to defeat evil.
True peace comes only when Jesus establishes His eternal kingdom.

REFLECT

How do you seek to live peaceably when you face conflict?
In what ways do you need to trust God with vengeance instead of taking matters into your own hands?
How does knowing Jesus will ultimately bring true peace shape the way you live now?

ENGAGE

How can Christians balance living peaceably with handling the reality of conflict in a godly way?
If Jesus is not advocating for pacifism, what did He advocate for instead?
How does our hope in Christ’s eternal kingdom and Jesus’ example influence the way we engage with conflict, violence, and injustice today?