At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.
- KJV And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.
- NLT But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
One of Jesus's companions draws a sword and cuts off the high priest's servant's ear. Misguided zeal seeks to defend Jesus by force.
Overview
A disciple, identified in John as Peter, tries to protect Jesus with violence, wounding the servant Malchus. The impulsive act, though brave, misunderstands the nature of Jesus's mission and kingdom. Jesus's response, recorded in the next verses, will redirect zeal away from the sword toward trust in God's purpose.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Mark 14:47And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
- John 18:36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”
- 2 Cor 10:4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
- Luke 22:49–51Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?”
- John 18:10–11Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
- Luke 22:36–38“Now, however,” He told them, “the one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.
- Matt 26:35Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.
- Luke 9:55But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:51 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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