But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing 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.
- BSB At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting 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.
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 14:47But a certain one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
- John 18:36Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”
- 2 Cor 10:4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds,
- Luke 22:49–51When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
- John 18:10–11Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
- Luke 22:36–38Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
- Matt 26:35Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
- Luke 9:55But he turned and rebuked them, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are.
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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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