Luke 22:50 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

NIV: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

NASB: And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

CSB: Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

NLT: And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

KJV: And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

NKJV: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

Temple guards and servants, accompanied and sent by the chief priests and elders, have come to the Mount of Olives in the middle of the night to arrest Jesus (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:52; John 18:3). Judas has brought them and identified Jesus by kissing Him: a mark of honor from a student to a teacher, which Jesus notes is not appropriate. The soldiers and servants grab Jesus. One of the disciples asks, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (Luke 22:47–49). Peter doesn't wait for an answer; he just swings (John 18:10).

When Jesus updated His instructions for what the disciples should take as they traveled, He told them to buy a sword (Luke 22:35–38). Luke is the only gospel writer to record this. That mention echoes a narrative principle called "Chekhov's gun." Chekhov, a playwright, said that if you point out some unique item early in the story, such as a gun or a sword, it must be used later in the plot.

Jesus immediately tells Peter to put his sword away, saying, "For all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). When Jesus told Peter to stay up and pray that he would not fall into temptation (Luke 22:40), it may be this moment He had in mind.

Earlier, Jesus justified the sword by saying, "For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'" (Luke 22:37). When the servant is maimed, witnesses can say that Jesus' intent is violence. Jesus saves Peter by healing Malchus's ear (Luke 22:51; John 18:10). But knowing Jesus' follower used a sword may give the religious leaders more confidence when they claim Jesus is setting Himself up as king against Caesar (Luke 23:2; John 19:12).

Even after this, Peter will have the courage to follow John to the high priest's house. He will even warm himself by the fire with members of this mob. But he cannot admit to following Jesus. He has just attacked one of their own (John 18:25–27). If they recognize him, he may, indeed, die by the sword.

Luke 22:47–53 records Jesus' betrayal by Judas and arrest by members of the Sanhedrin. After spending years trying to destroy Jesus, the religious leaders have found an ally in one of His disciples. Judas leads soldiers and servants to where Jesus spends His nights. The arrest will be in the dark, away from the crowds. Peter, quick to prove his loyalty, cuts off a servant's ear. Jesus heals it and allows Himself to be taken. Jesus' arrest is also recorded in Matthew 26:47–56, Mark 14:43–50, and John 18:2–12.

Luke 22 is a long chapter which records events leading to Jesus' political trials and crucifixion. He has successfully taught crowds at the temple and proved His authority over the religious leaders (Luke 19:47—20). Meanwhile the leaders have spent the week planning to arrest Jesus and have Him killed (Luke 19:47–48). This chapter records the Last Supper, the arrest on the Mount of Olives, and the trials before the Jewish religious leaders. Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 18 cover much of the same information.

Luke 23 continues Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas. He is then led to the cross where He forgives His murderers and saves a thief before He dies. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead, meets two disciples while they travel, and explains to them how the Old Testament prophesied the death of the Messiah. In the final scene of the gospel, Jesus is reunited with His disciples, blesses them, and ascends into heaven.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.