But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The most striking detail here, often overlooked, is Mark's deliberate omission of Peter's name. While John identifies the impulsive disciple, Mark's focus remains on the broader picture of violent reaction and human frailty, underscoring Jesus' profound submission to a higher purpose. This choice highlights how even a zealous, misguided act of defense ultimately serves to reveal the disciples' lack of understanding compared to Christ's quiet obedience.
But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the heart of the night, a treacherous kiss signals the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, leading a mob armed with swords and clubs to the Garden of Gethsemane. As the guards seize Jesus, one of his disciples, later identified as Peter, impulsively draws a sword in a misguided attempt to defend him, striking and severing the ear of the high priest's servant. This violent outburst, met with Jesus' gentle rebuke and healing touch, immediately precedes the disciples abandoning Jesus and fleeing in panic.
In a moment of crisis, one of Jesus' closest followers lashed out with violence. What drives such actions, and what does it reveal about our own passionate responses?
When Jesus was arrested, Peter's immediate reaction was to draw a sword and strike the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. This wasn't a calculated act of defense but an impulsive outburst fueled by a misguided zeal.
Misguided Loyalty
The Wrong Kind of Strength
This impulsive violence stands in stark contrast to Jesus' own submission to the Father's will.
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While chaos erupted and violence was initiated, Jesus responded not with force, but with divine authority and a deeper purpose. How did He assert His power?
In the midst of the arrest, the servant's ear is cut off. Jesus' response to this act of violence is not to retaliate, but to assert His divine authority and redirect the situation.
Restraining Force
Fulfilling Scripture
Jesus' calm and authoritative response, even amidst aggression, highlights His unique role and mission.
Understand the original words
machaira · Greek Noun
A Greek term referring to a small, often short sword or dagger, commonly associated with personal defense or military skirmishes rather than a standard large battle sword.
This dramatic event highlights the disciples' impulse to defend Jesus physically, contrasting sharply with Jesus' own non-violent submission to God's will, even amidst betrayal and arrest.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
Jesus' public ministry gains momentum, attracting large crowds but also escalating the suspicion and hostility of the Jewish religious authorities.
The Thursday evening before Passover
The Last Supper
Jesus shares a final meal with his disciples, during which he predicts his betrayal and institutes the Lord's Supper.
The night of the Last Supper— this verse
Jesus' Arrest in Gethsemane
Judas Iscariot leads a mob armed with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Immediately following the arrest
Peter's Sword
In a moment of impulsive defense, Peter strikes the servant of the high priest, severing his ear.
Shortly after the arrest
Jesus' Healing and Rebuke
Jesus rebukes Peter, commands him to put away his sword, and miraculously heals the injured servant's ear.
Following the arrest
Disciples Flee
Jesus' disciples, overwhelmed by fear, abandon him and flee.
This passage identifies Peter as the one who drew the sword and names the high priest's servant as Malchus, adding specific details to the event.
Luke 22:50Luke's account also mentions the incident and adds that Jesus healed the servant's ear, highlighting Jesus' power even in His arrest.
Matthew 26:51-52Matthew records Jesus' direct command to Peter to put away his sword and his pronouncement that those who live by the sword will die by it, showing Jesus' disapproval of this violent defense.
Genesis 9:6Jesus' words to Peter echo the Old Testament principle that 'whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed,' underscoring the divine prohibition against unlawful violence.
pulpitMark 14:47: "And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear."
Verse 47. - But a certain one of them that stood by drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear (ἀφεῖλεν αὐτοῦ τὸ ὠτίον). We learn from St. John (John 18:10) that this was Peter. St. John also is the only evangelist who mentions the name (Malchus) of the high priest's servant. Malchus would probably be prominent amongst them. St. Luke (Luke…
expositorsMark 14:43-52: "And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders."
CHAPTER 14:43-52 (Mark 14:43-52)THE ARREST "And straightway, while He yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, th…
The most striking detail here, often overlooked, is Mark's deliberate omission of Peter's name. While John identifies the impulsive disciple, Mark's focus remains on the broader picture of violent reaction and human frailty, underscoring Jesus' profound submission to a higher purpose. This choice highlights how even a zealous, misguided act of defense ultimately serves to reveal the disciples' lack of understanding compared to Christ's quiet obedience.
In the heart of the night, a treacherous kiss signals the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, leading a mob armed with swords and clubs to the Garden of Gethsemane. As the guards seize Jesus, one of his disciples, later identified as Peter, impulsively draws a sword in a misguided attempt to defend him, striking and severing the ear of the high priest's servant. This violent outburst, met with Jesus' gentle rebuke and healing touch, immediately precedes the disciples abandoning Jesus and fleeing in panic.
In the heart of the night, a treacherous kiss signals the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, leading a mob armed with swords and clubs to the Garden of Gethsemane. As the guards seize Jesus, one of his disciples, later identified as Peter, impulsively draws a sword in a misguided attempt to defend him, striking and severing the ear of the high priest's servant. This violent outburst, met with Jesus' gentle rebuke and healing touch, immediately precedes the disciples abandoning Jesus and fleeing in panic.
"But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear." — The most striking detail here, often overlooked, is Mark's deliberate omission of Peter's name. While John identifies the impulsive disciple, Mark's focus remains on the broader picture of violent re…
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Last reviewed October 2026