Yeshua's had taught his disciples to not resist an evil doer.
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also (Mt. 5:39 NKJV).
This instruction did not change though he instructed them to buy swords; in fact, as we shall see, it plays perfectly into how he demonstrates and cooperates with Gods plan at this critical moment in his life. The swords merely help set the stage for this remarkable act of submission to his Father's will.
Luke 22:35-38 (NKJV) reads:
35 And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing."
36 Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end."
38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."
Here we find the only reason given for instructing them to take swords, ie. to fulfill that which was spoken of him: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'
How then is Prophecy fulfilled.
Matthew 26:51-56 (NKJV) reads:
51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?"
55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.
56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
We see here how the sword helped set the stage and Yeshua's rebuke of Peter, makes it clear that it was never Yeshua's intent that the swords be used in his defense. He says, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword . . . How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" We see Yeshua's clear intent was to demonstrate that he will not allow power on earth to come to his defense. Scriptures must be fulifilled; It must happen this way.
We see also in his rebuke of Peter an even more profound indication of Yeshua intent. He says, "do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?"
The swords which man can see, are a faint earthly parallel of the army of heaven which man cannot see, neither of which he calls upon or allows to come to his defense.
When the picture is all put together, we see that Yeshua allowed himself to be taken instead of being defended by either earthly force or heavenly force so that what was prophesied of him would be fulfilled--for "This that is written MUST STILL BE ACCOMPLISHED IN ME"--so he is taken prisoner and numbered among transgressors.
Take the swords out of the picture then he has no opportunity to not allow them to use them and no opportunity to point out that he could have called upon His Father to deliver him. Much would be missing from our knowledge.