Betrayal Begins
And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Mark 14:47 · Berean Standard Bible
One of the people standing nearby draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.
Other Gospels tell us this was Peter. Mark may have left his name out to protect him since Peter was still alive and could face prosecution.
Mark narrates this act of impulsive defense.
Someone in Jesus' group panics and swings a sword. It's a very human reaction to seeing someone you love being arrested. But it's not the way Jesus wanted to handle this.
An unnamed bystander draws a machaira (short sword) and strikes the high priest's servant, severing his ear. Mark notably does not identify either the attacker or the servant.
John's Gospel identifies the swordsman as Peter and the servant as Malchus. Mark's anonymity may serve to protect Peter, who was still alive when Mark wrote.
The narrator describes an act of violent resistance by one of Jesus' followers.
In a moment of panic, one of Jesus' companions lashes out with a sword. It's a futile act of resistance that Jesus Himself will not endorse.
45Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
46Then the men seized Jesus and arrested Him.
47And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
48Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw?
49Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”
Read all of Mark 14 — A woman anoints Jesus with costly perfume while Judas negotiates his price. The Last Supper, Gethsemane, and Peter's denial unfold in rapid succession.
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