When Jesus Was Not A Pacifist

When Jesus Was Not A Pacifist

Saturday, 28 March, 2026 1:53 PM

There is a lot of discussion about Jesus being a peacemaker and a pacifist since the war began in Iran.  Yes, I fully agree He wants peaceful followers and He wants peace on earth.  Yes, he is the Prince of Peace.  There should be a balance in how we follow His example of living peacefully with our brothers, sisters, and neighbors and how we stand against the injustices of this sinful world. 

Jesus was a Lion and a Lamb.  Just ask the religious leaders of His time!

Here are some of His not so peaceful actions:

1. Hypocrites (most common rebuke)

Jesus repeatedly called them hypocrites (Greek: hypokritai, meaning "actors" or "play-actors", fake, false, pretend).

Examples: Matthew 23:13–36 (the "Seven Woes"): "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!" (repeated 7 times in this chapter alone).

Matthew 15:7–9: "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you..."

Mark 7:6 and Luke 12:56 also record similar uses.

2. Blind guides / Blind fools / Blind men

Emphasizing their spiritual blindness while claiming to lead others.

Examples: Matthew 23:16, 24: "Blind guides! ... You blind fools!" (fools = moros = morons, blockhead, dull, stupid, absurd)

Matthew 23:17, 19: "You blind men!"

Matthew 15:14: "They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."

3. Brood of vipers / Snakes

A harsh image of danger and deceit, echoing John the Baptist's language.

Examples: Matthew 23:33: "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?"

Matthew 12:34: "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?"

4. Whitewashed tombs / Beautiful on the outside

Highlighting their external piety masking internal corruption.

Example: Matthew 23:27–28: "You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean."

5. Wolves (in sheep's clothing)

Warning about false teachers who appear harmless but are predatory.

Example: Matthew 7:15: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Contextually aimed at hypocritical leaders.)

6. Children of the devil / Of your father the devil

Pointing to their spiritual allegiance.

Example: John 8:44 (to Pharisees/Jews opposing him): "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires."

7. Murderers / Sons of those who murdered the prophets

Accusing them of continuing the pattern of rejecting and killing God's messengers.

Examples: Matthew 23:31: "So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets."

Matthew 23:35: They would be held responsible for "the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah."

8. Other descriptive titles

Fools and foolish ones (Matthew 23:17, 19).

Unmarked graves (Luke 11:44) – people walk over them without knowing the corruption beneath.

Leaven of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:6, 11–12; Luke 12:1) – referring to their corrupting influence and teaching (hypocrisy and legalism).

Those who shut the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 23:13).

Serpents (Matthew 23:33, alongside vipers).

These were fighting words for the established elite and religious leaders so they hated Him and murdered Him without even a fair trial.  Of course we know that was how God's plan had to evolve.  Only during His ministry did He turn over tables and call names and only to the so called leaders of the times.  With the everyday normal people, believers and unbelievers was He gentle, kind and peaceful.  

Romans 12:18 (NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.