And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s easy to skim over this detail, but the fact that the ear severed was the right one isn't accidental. This specific, almost technical detail, hints at a precision that contrasts sharply with the chaos of the moment, suggesting a careful observation and recording of events by Luke.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before this, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Judas, one of the twelve, arrived with a mob to arrest Jesus. In a moment of impulsive defense, one of Jesus' followers drew a sword and struck out, severing the right ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus then rebuked the action, emphasizing that his arrest was meant to fulfill Scripture, not to be resisted by force.
Jesus is surrounded, betrayal is happening, and in the chaos, a sword is drawn. What does this impulsive act tell us about the disciples, and about our own reactions in moments of crisis?
In Luke 22:50, we see one of Jesus' disciples, later identified as Peter, react with immediate, physical force. This wasn't a planned defense, but an impulsive lashing out in a moment of perceived threat.
A Moment of Misguided Loyalty
In the midst of this violent outburst, an ear is severed. But Jesus' response isn't further conflict, it's miraculous healing. What does this reveal about God's power and priorities?
The physical act of cutting off the servant's ear is shocking, but Jesus' immediate response is even more profound. He doesn't dismiss the violence; he addresses it, but then turns to healing.
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Restoring What Was Damaged
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.
This event occurred in the immediate moments of Jesus' arrest, highlighting the disciples' fervent but misguided zeal and Jesus' own remarkable restraint and compassion.
c. AD 30— this verse
Arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by temple guards and a detachment of Roman soldiers.
c. AD 30
Jesus Heals the Servant's Ear
During the arrest, Peter strikes the high priest's servant, Malchus, cutting off his ear. Jesus rebukes Peter and miraculously heals the servant's ear.
c. AD 30
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
Following his arrest, Jesus is brought before the Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin, for trial.
c. AD 30
Jesus Before Pilate
The Jewish leaders take Jesus to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to secure his condemnation and execution.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion of Jesus
Pontius Pilate sentences Jesus to be crucified, and he is executed at Golgotha.
This passage from Matthew directly parallels Luke's account, naming the disciple (Peter) who acted impulsively and highlighting Jesus' response to put his sword away.
Mark 14:47Mark also recounts this event, emphasizing the violent reaction of one of Jesus' followers and Jesus' immediate redirection of the situation.
John 18:10John's Gospel identifies the disciple as Peter and the servant as Malchus, adding specific details to Luke's account and showing Jesus' miraculous healing of the ear.
Deuteronomy 15:17This Old Testament law speaks about the significance of the ear, particularly its piercing as a sign of perpetual servitude, which adds a layer of symbolic meaning to the ear being cut off in Jesus' arrest.
Luke 22:49This verse immediately precedes the act of violence, showing the disciples' eager question about fighting, which sets the stage for Peter's impulsive action and Jesus' corrective words.
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 .
It’s easy to skim over this detail, but the fact that the ear severed was the right one isn't accidental. This specific, almost technical detail, hints at a precision that contrasts sharply with the chaos of the moment, suggesting a careful observation and recording of events by Luke.
Just moments before this, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Judas, one of the twelve, arrived with a mob to arrest Jesus. In a moment of impulsive defense, one of Jesus' followers drew a sword and struck out, severing the right ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus then rebuked the action, emphasizing that his arrest was meant to fulfill Scripture, not to be resisted by force.
Just moments before this, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Judas, one of the twelve, arrived with a mob to arrest Jesus. In a moment of impulsive defense, one of Jesus' followers drew a sword and struck out, severing the right ear of the high priest's servant. Jesus then rebuked the action, emphasizing that his arrest was meant to fulfill Scripture, not to be resisted by force.
"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him." — It’s easy to skim over this detail, but the fact that the ear severed was the right one isn't accidental. This specific, almost technical detail, hints at a precision that contrasts sharply with th…
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Last reviewed October 2026