And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text specifically notes the "right ear," which might seem like a minor detail, but it hints at a particular and perhaps more severe injury than if it were any ear. This detail may also subtly echo Old Testament laws concerning property marking or identification.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before this, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas arrived with a crowd to arrest Jesus. In a moment of panicked loyalty, one of Jesus' followers impulsively drew a sword against the arresting party, striking the high priest's servant and severing his ear. This act of violence occurred as the situation rapidly escalated, leading directly to Jesus' capture and the disciples fleeing in fear.
In a moment of crisis, one of Jesus's closest followers lashed out. What does this impulsive act reveal about our own reactions when things get tough?
The Gospels tell us that in the chaotic moments of Jesus's arrest, Peter (as John's Gospel identifies him) drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. This wasn't a calculated act of defense; it was an impulsive reaction fueled by a desire to protect Jesus.
Think about it: Jesus was surrounded by a mob, about to be arrested. Peter saw his Master in danger and acted. But his zeal, though perhaps well-intentioned, was misplaced and misguided. Jesus's immediate response, "Put your sword back in its place!" (Matthew 26:52), shows that this kind of forceful, retaliatory action was not His way.
This moment highlights a crucial lesson: our passion for what we believe in, or for protecting those we care about, needs to be guided by wisdom and by Jesus's own teachings. Zeal without discernment can lead to unintended harm and miss the true purpose of our actions.
This violent encounter happened at a critical juncture. Why did Jesus allow this to occur, and what was the deeper significance of this 'hour of darkness'?
The striking of the servant's ear occurred during Jesus's arrest, a moment Luke describes as 'the hour and the power of darkness' (Luke 22:53). This wasn't just any arrest; it was the planned culmination of God's redemptive work.
Despite the chaos and the aggressive actions of the arresting party, Jesus remained in control. He healed the very ear that was cut off, demonstrating His power even in His arrest. He also rebuked the use of the sword, reminding His disciples that His kingdom wasn't of this world and that His path was one of suffering, not armed resistance.
Ask a follow-up
This 'hour of darkness' was, paradoxically, the gateway to light. It was the necessary step for Jesus to fulfill the Scriptures and accomplish salvation. The violence against Him, and the disciples' violent reaction, were part of a divine plan that ultimately led to redemption.
Understand the original words
doulos · Greek Noun
A general term for one who performs duties for a master, often used in the New Testament to describe ministry, service, or, as in this context, the subordinates of religious leaders.
archiereus · Greek Noun
The supreme religious official in Israel, responsible for the oversight of the Temple and the performance of the Day of Atonement rituals.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Final Week in Jerusalem
Jesus' final days were spent teaching and confronting religious authorities in Jerusalem, culminating in his arrest.
c. AD 28-30
Arrest in Gethsemane
Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by temple guards and a contingent of Roman soldiers, led by Judas Iscariot.
c. AD 28-30
Malchus' Ear is Cut Off
During the arrest, one of Jesus' disciples, later identified as Peter, impulsively strikes and severs the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Heals Malchus' Ear
Jesus rebukes the disciple's violence and miraculously heals Malchus' ear, demonstrating his power and compassion even in his own moment of arrest.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus is Brought Before the High Priest
Jesus is taken to the residence of the high priest Caiaphas for an initial interrogation, where the events leading to his trial begin.
This passage identifies Peter as the one who struck the servant and names the servant as Malchus, providing more specific details to the event Luke describes.
Matthew 26:51-52Matthew recounts the same event and records Jesus' immediate response, 'Put your sword back in its place! For all who draw the sword will die by the sword,' highlighting Jesus' rebuke of violence.
Deuteronomy 15:17This Old Testament law speaks of a master, after his servant had been faithfully served for six years, piercing the servant's ear with an awl as a sign of permanent belonging, offering a stark contrast to the violent act of cutting off an ear.
Luke 22:49The preceding verse shows the disciples asking Jesus, 'Lord, should we strike with our swords?', indicating their eagerness to fight and setting the stage for the impulsive action that followed.
1 Samuel 26:6-12When David had the opportunity to kill Saul but refused, he demonstrated a similar principle of restraint from striking God's anointed, even when provoked, mirroring Jesus' command to his disciples.
vincentLuke 22:50: "And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear."
The servantSee on Matthew 26:51.His right earLit., his ear, the right one. See on Matthew 26:51; and compare Mark 14:47. Both Matthew and Mark use diminutives.
clarkeLuke 22:50: "And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear."
Cut off his right ear - See the note on Matthew 26:51 .
The text specifically notes the "right ear," which might seem like a minor detail, but it hints at a particular and perhaps more severe injury than if it were any ear. This detail may also subtly echo Old Testament laws concerning property marking or identification.
Just moments before this, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas arrived with a crowd to arrest Jesus. In a moment of panicked loyalty, one of Jesus' followers impulsively drew a sword against the arresting party, striking the high priest's servant and severing his ear. This act of violence occurred as the situation rapidly escalated, leading directly to Jesus' capture and the disciples fleeing in fear.
Just moments before this, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Judas arrived with a crowd to arrest Jesus. In a moment of panicked loyalty, one of Jesus' followers impulsively drew a sword against the arresting party, striking the high priest's servant and severing his ear. This act of violence occurred as the situation rapidly escalated, leading directly to Jesus' capture and the disciples fleeing in fear.
"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear." — The text specifically notes the "right ear," which might seem like a minor detail, but it hints at a particular and perhaps more severe injury than if it were any ear. This detail may also subtly ech…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026