Malchus

A depiction of Peter striking Malchus (circa 1520, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon).^{[dubious – discuss][1]}

There was also another Malchus, a Byzantine historian who wrote a history from Constantine to Anastasius I in 7 books.

In the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible, Malchus is the servant of the Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, who participated in the arrest of Jesus. According to John, one of the disciples, the Apostle Peter, being armed with a sword, cut off the servant's ear in an attempt to prevent his Master's arrest.

The story is related in all four gospels, John 18:10–11; Matthew 26:51; Mark 14:47; and Luke 22:51, but the servant and the disciple are named only in John. Also, Luke is the only gospel that says Jesus healed the ear.

The relevant passage in the Gospel of John, KJV, reads:

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. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the scabbard: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

The story is often used to illustrate Jesus' rejection of violence^{[citation needed]} and surrender to God's will.

Thornton Wilder wrote a short play entitled, "The Servant's Name Was Malchus." It appeared in the collection "The Angel That Troubled the Waters and Other Plays."

See also

• Sword of Saint Peter

References

1. ^ The picture is falsely showing Peter about to strike his left ear. Both Luke 22:50 and John 18:10 say he "cut off his right ear".

External links

•  "Malchus". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.