Live by the sword, die by the sword
"Live by the sword, die by the sword" is a proverb in the form of a parallel phrase, derived from the Gospel of Matthew : "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."
Original Biblical quotation
The phrase comes from the Gospel of Matthew, in which one of Jesus's disciples is described as having struck the servant of the High Priest of Israel and cut off his ear. Jesus is described as having rebuked him, saying:| Version | Text |
| Original Greek New Testament | τότε λέγει αὐτῶ ὁ ἰησοῦς, ἀπόστρεψον τὴν μάχαιράν σου εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς, πάντες γὰρ οἱ λαβόντες μάχαιραν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀπολοῦνται. |
| Latin Vulgate | Tunc ait illi Jesus: Converte gladium tuum in locum suum: omnes enim, qui acceperint gladium, gladio peribunt. |
| King James Version | Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. |
| New Revised Standard Version | Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." |
| New International Version | "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." |
The saying "all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" is only found in the Gospel of Matthew and not in any of the other gospels. The Latin version refers to the weapon as a gladius, while the Greek version refers to it as a makhaira.