Mat 10:34 Do not think that I have come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

This is a great verse because it seems to say the opposite of what most people want to think Christ's mission on earth was.

"Do not think" is nomizo me (not). Nomizo primarily means "to use by custom" or "to be accustomed to." Secondarily, it means "to own," "to acknowledge," "to hold in honor," and "to believe."

"I have come' is erchomai, which means "to come or go from one place to another," and "to appear," but metaphorically means "to come into being," "to arise," "to become known," and "to find influence."

"Send" is ballo, which means "to throw to hit," "to let fall without caring where," "to put," or "to caste." The use of ballo might be compared to the way we use "throw" in a phase like "throw into confusion."

"Peace" is eirene, which means "peace," "tranquility," and "harmony." It is the same word Christ uses earlier in this sermon describing apostles blessing the houses that accepted them. It is also the root of the word "peacemaker," eirenopoios, (from poieo "to make") used in the Beatitudes.

"But" is alla, which is a conjunction of opposition, "but" and "except," but stronger than the normal de, which is commonly translated as "but."

"Sword" is machaira, which means a large knife or short sword. It specifically the type of weapon used for making sacrifices, by assassins, bodyguards, and jugglers.

Christ begins this verse with a word (nomizo) that indicates that we shouldn't do what we must customarily, that is, assume that the rise of God's kingdom will miraculously bring peace. He makes it clear here here that the coming of universal rule doesn't happen without opposition. His use of machaira, is especially telling because it was the sacrificial knife. The sense is that he throwing his believers in the path of assassins and body guards who will make sacrifices of them as Christ gains influence in the world.