The Pacifist Messiah

from Daniel Keeran, MSW

Victoria, Canada
The question sometimes arises as to whether the early Christians were pacifists. I believe part of
the answer lies in the Messianic expectations and their fulfillment in Yeshua of Nazareth.

Isaiah 2:4 – THE MESSIAH WILL BE A PEACEMAKER

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall
beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up
sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 11:4 - THE MESSIAH WILL USE WORDS AS WEAPONS
He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.
Isaiah 11:9 -THE MESSIANIC RULE BRINGS NONVIOLENCE
They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain…
Isaiah 42:3 – THE MESSIAH WILL BE EXTREMELY GENTLE
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he
will bring forth justice.
Zechariah 9:9-10 – THE MESSIAH KING WILL BE GENTLE AND NONVIOLENT
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt,
the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from
Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will
extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Joel 3:12 – THE MESSIAH WILL MAKE PEACE AMONG THE GENTILE NATIONS
Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit
to judge all the surrounding nations.
Micah 4:3 – THE MESSIAH WILL SETTLE CONFLICTS SO THAT PEOPLE GIVE UP WAR
He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide disputes for strong nations far away;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Matthew 11:29 – THE MESSIAH IS GENTLE AND HUMBLE IN HEART
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls.
Matthew 5:39 – YESHUA TAUGHT NONVIOLENCE
But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them
the other cheek also.
Matthew 26:51-53 – YESHUA REFUSED TO MAKE A VIOLENT DEFENSE
At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest,
cutting off his ear. “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the
sword will die by the sword. Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once
put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”
Luke 6:27-28 – YESHUA TAUGHT ACTIVE LOVE FOR ONE’S ENEMIES
But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.
John 18:36 – YESHUA’S RULE IS NOT OF THIS WORLD
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my
arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."