John 18:10-11, Malchus' Ear

10 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.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

Here we have an interesting, eyewitness account of Peter’s attempt to prevent the arrest of Jesus. While Peter appears rather courageous in standing up against an arresting party that clearly outnumbered the disciples, his clumsy results require another healing miracle by Jesus (Luke 22:51). It is interesting to note that both John and Luke record it is the right ear of the servant, who only John names as Malchus.

(As an aside, I find it not only incredibly helpful but also absolutely necessary to read all of the gospels to get the best picture possible of Jesus and the recorded events of his life. I liken the differences in the gospels to a painting studio with Jesus standing in the middle of a group of painters who are painting portraits of him from different angles. Yes, there may appear to be contradictions and conflicting information, however, taken together, they give us a fuller picture of Jesus. For example, Matthew tells us that Judas kissed Jesus as a signal to the arresting officers. John does not. Matthew says that someone with Jesus struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. John tells us it is Peter and the servant’s name is Malchus. These two gospels, along with the other two, enhance our understanding rather than diminish it. That John leaves out the kiss of Judas does not mean it did not happen. He simply chose not to use it. Perhaps so because John, of all the gospel writers, shows Jesus in control of the events that Thursday evening and Saturday morning. Sometimes I feel like a detective going over the reported evidence in a case to understand better the sequence and meaning of events as I read from the different gospel accounts.)

What is the cup that the Father has given the son to drink? The Old Testament in Psalm 75:8; Ezekiel 23:31-34; Isaiah 51:17, 22; and Jeremiah 25:15 show the cup to be a cup of the wrath of God. Lesslie Newbigin writes, “In the strange mercy of God the cup of his righteous wrath is given into the hands, not of his enemies, but of his beloved Son. And he will drink it, down to the dregs until the moment comes when ‘I thirst’ gives place to ‘It is finished.’” Jesus is indeed the good shepherd who protects his sheep, even laying down his life for them.

In prayer, give thanks to Jesus for drinking the cup we deserve to drink.