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John 18:1-11
So Judas took a detachment of soldiers and some officers from the high priests and the Pharisees and went there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Then Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen, went forward and asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
They answered him, “Jesus from Nazareth.”
Jesus told them, “I AM.” Judas, the man who betrayed him, was standing with them.
When Jesus told them, “I AM,” they backed away and fell to the ground.
So he asked them again, “Who are you looking for?”
They said, “Jesus from Nazareth.”
Jesus replied, “I told you that I am the one, so if you are looking for me, let these men go.”
This was to fulfill what he had said, “I did not lose a single one of those you gave me.”

This makes it pretty clear that Jesus could make a gang of armed men back off and fall to the ground with a word. He did not need the Apostles' swords for this purpose.

The purpose of the swords was to fulfill the prophecy that He would be "numbered with the transgressors." I don't think a gang of armed men, "soldiers and officers," would be seriously deterred by fishermen with two measly swords. Especially after Jesus healed the first one who was slashed, and then ordered Peter to put back the sword.

We have a difference in interpretation.

> “He did not need the Apostles’ swords for this purpose.”

I agree, but the disciples needed them.

> “The purpose of the swords was to fulfill the prophecy that He would be “numbered with the transgressors.”

That’s your opinion. My opinion is the same as that handed down to countless millions, that Jesus was numbered with the transgressors because they hung crucified and died on either side of him on at Calvary.

Jesus was not sentenced to death for causing his disciples to carry swords, he was convicted for speaking of a kingdom (possible treason), and even then, Pilate deferred to a Jewish mob to choose between Jesus or Barrabas. Pilate ruled Jesus had done no wrong and left it to a Jewish mob organized by enemies (a Jewish deep state) in the Sanhedrin. Pilate acceded to the Sanhedrin that they had no King but Caesar. Pilate washed his hands of it.

> “I don’t think a gang of armed men, “soldiers and officers,” would be seriously deterred by fishermen with two measly swords.”

The Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto held off the German Army for two weeks with 15 pistols.

> “Especially after Jesus healed the first one who was slashed, and then ordered Peter to put back the sword.”

Which doesn’t mesh with your prior statement that Temple Guards would not be deterred. Peter’s action, in fact, did deter them for otherwise the Temple Guards would have attacked and arrested all the disciples.

Throughout the Bible, God has caused the enemies of Israel, who were tasked to remain obedient to God as they were chosen to bring forth the Messiah, to be defeated in myriad ways. It is clear that God does not restrict Himself from waging wars to protect the coming of the Messiah through the nation of Israel, and similarly that He would protect the Apostles who were tasked with spreading the Gospel. That protection included the sword where God deemed it was appropriate.

Satan’s minions can be stopped with the gun and sword, and all manner of armaments. My belief is that GOD protects this nation with the most awful weapons of war such that no enemy nation would even think to attack the United States. Although some missives of Jihadists and other enemies will plot to attack, they cannot defeat the US through armies and equipment, only a formidable enemy nation could imagine defeating the United States militarily and to this day none would think of it.

The purpose of the swords was to fulfill the prophecy that He would be "numbered with the transgressors."

I love it when folks really understand the hidden things in scripture!!

Just WHO were the dudes that actually were carrying the swords?

OBVIOUSLY the tax-collector fella! He MUST had had all kinds of MONEY on his person he needed to protect.

Maybe one of the fishermen.

They'd need to take out a nasty critter caught in their nets before it could harm them.