# Is “Live by the sword, die by the sword” in the Bible?

> Yes. “Live by the sword, die by the sword” comes from the Bible, from Matthew 26:52.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/live-by-the-sword-die-by-the-sword
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Jesus says it to a disciple who draws a sword to stop his arrest.

## The verse

> Then Jesus said to him, “Return your sword to its place, because everyone who takes up a sword will be killed by a sword.
>
> — [Matthew 26:52](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/26#52) (Lumin Translation)

The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse.

## What it means there

John’s Gospel names the disciple as Peter (John 18:10). Jesus tells him to put the sword away: violence comes back on those who use it.

## Common questions

### Is “Live by the sword, die by the sword” in the Bible?

Yes. “Live by the sword, die by the sword” comes from the Bible, from Matthew 26:52. The saying is not word for word. It shortens or reshapes the verse. Jesus says it to a disciple who draws a sword to stop his arrest.

### Where in the Bible is “Live by the sword, die by the sword”?

In Matthew 26:52. In the Lumin Translation, Matthew 26:52 reads: “Then Jesus said to him, “Return your sword to its place, because everyone who takes up a sword will be killed by a sword.”

### Who said “Live by the sword, die by the sword”?

Jesus says it to a disciple who draws a sword to stop his arrest.

### What does “Live by the sword, die by the sword” mean in the Bible?

John’s Gospel names the disciple as Peter (John 18:10). Jesus tells him to put the sword away: violence comes back on those who use it.

## More

- [Is “Man does not live by bread alone” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/man-does-not-live-by-bread-alone.md)
- [Is “Out of the mouths of babes” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/out-of-the-mouths-of-babes.md)
- [Is “The salt of the earth” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-salt-of-the-earth.md)
- [Is “The straight and narrow” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-straight-and-narrow.md)
- [Is “Train up a child in the way he should go” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/train-up-a-child-in-the-way-he-should-go.md)
- [Is “Where there is no vision, the people perish” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/where-there-is-no-vision-the-people-perish.md)
- [Where is “Be strong and courageous” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/be-strong-and-courageous.md)
- [Where is “The joy of the Lord is your strength” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-joy-of-the-lord-is-your-strength.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)