John 18:10 kjv
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
John 18:10 nkjv
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
John 18:10 niv
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
John 18:10 esv
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
John 18:10 nlt
Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest's slave.
John 18 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 18:10 | Simon Peter... struck the high priest's servant... | Direct action |
| Matthew 26:51 | One of them reached out his hand... | Fulfilment of prophecy |
| Mark 14:47 | One of the men standing by drew his sword... | Parallel account |
| Luke 22:50 | He struck the servant of the high priest... | Parallel account, identifies wound |
| Exodus 4:2 | What is that in your hand? Moses said, a staff. | Old Testament parallel (staff vs sword) |
| Deuteronomy 20:10 | You shall not be surprised at the flocks of sheep... | Law regarding war |
| 2 Samuel 23:14 | David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink | Zeal for the Lord |
| 1 Samuel 17:50 | David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone | Defense with tools |
| John 13:37 | Peter said to him, Lord, why cannot I follow you now? | Peter's loyalty and eagerness |
| John 21:7 | It is the Lord! Peter, therefore, when he heard that... | Peter's impetuosity resurfaces |
| Isaiah 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth... | Jesus' submission |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... | Future empowerment for witness |
| 2 Corinthians 10:4 | For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal... | Spiritual warfare context |
| Romans 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God... | Divine vengeance vs human action |
| Philippians 2:8 | and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death... | Jesus' obedience |
| Hebrews 12:4 | In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. | Suffering without resistance |
| Matthew 5:39 | but if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to the other also. | Jesus' teaching on non-resistance |
| Galatians 5:17 | For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit... | Fleshly vs. spiritual desires |
| Romans 13:4 | For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. | Authority and sword usage |
| Revelation 13:10 | If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes... | Captivity and submission |
John 18 verses
John 18 10 Meaning
Simon Peter, identifying himself as a servant and apostle, grasps his sword and strikes the servant of the high priest, Malchus, severing his right ear. This act reveals Peter's impulsive defense of Jesus and highlights the contrast between human, forceful action and Jesus' submission to divine will.
John 18 10 Context
This event occurs during Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Following Jesus' surrender to the arresting party (led by Judas and including Roman soldiers and temple guards), Peter, in a moment of zeal, attempts to physically defend Jesus. The disciples, having been given authority over demons and diseases (Luke 9:1), may have carried weapons, or Peter may have grabbed a nearby sword. His action stands in stark contrast to Jesus' willingness to suffer and His teachings on loving enemies and turning the other cheek. The high priest's servant, Malchus, is named in the parallel accounts, providing specific detail to the event.
John 18 10 Word Analysis
- Simon (Συμεών, Symaeōn): A Hebrew name, meaning "He has heard" or "He who listens." It is the original name of the apostle Peter.
- Peter (Πέτρος, Petros): A Greek name meaning "rock" or "stone." It was given to Simon by Jesus (John 1:42).
- called (ἐπεκαλέσατο, epekesato): Implies by a recognized name or title. Here, Peter identifies himself by both his original name and the name Jesus gave him, signifying his role.
- and (καί, kai): Conjunction connecting Peter's action to his identification.
- having (ἔχων, echōn): Present participle, indicating a current state or possession.
- sword (μάχαιραν, machairan): A short sword or dagger, a weapon typically carried by individuals in that era for self-defense or utility.
- smote (ἔκοψεν, ekopsen): Aorist indicative verb meaning "cut" or "struck," indicating a forceful action with a sharp instrument.
- high priest's (τοῦ ἀρχιερέως, tou archiereōs): Genitive singular of ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus), referring to the chief priest, Caiaphas, in this context.
- servant (δοῦλον, doulon): Accusative singular of δοῦλος (doulos), meaning "slave" or "servant." This indicates Malchus' position in the household of the high priest.
- Malchus (Μάλχος, Malchos): A Greek name. This is the servant whose ear is cut off.
- right (δεξιᾶς, dexeias): Genitive singular of δεξιός (dexios), meaning "right hand." The wound is to the right ear.
- ear (οὖς, ous): Accusative singular of οὖς (ous), the organ of hearing.
Words Group Analysis:
- "Simon Peter, called Simon Peter": This reiteration of his name, encompassing both his given name and the name bestowed by Christ, underscores his identity as a follower and apostle, even in this moment of flawed action.
- "having sword... smote": This sequence highlights the sudden, physical response motivated by zeal but misdirected from Jesus' will.
John 18 10 Bonus Section
The healing of Malchus' ear is the only miraculous healing attributed to Jesus during His passion week by John alone. This underscores Jesus' enduring love and power, even when facing His own crucifixion. It serves as a powerful illustration of fulfilling His own teaching about praying for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44) and exemplifies the nature of God's kingdom as one of healing and restoration, not destruction.
John 18 10 Commentary
Peter's action reflects a human tendency to resort to force in defense of what is perceived as right, a sharp contrast to Jesus' calm submission. While Peter's loyalty is evident, his method demonstrates a lack of understanding of Jesus' mission. Jesus rebukes this action, indicating that his kingdom is not of this world and does not require carnal warfare (John 18:36). Jesus then heals the severed ear, a profound act of grace and forgiveness even amidst His own impending suffering and betrayal. This healing confirms Jesus' divine authority and compassionate nature.