Category:Malchus (subject)
Malchus was, according to the Gospel of John, the name of a servant of the High Priest Caiaphas, who was wounded by Peter when Jesus was arrested.
Overview
The Gospel of Mark reports that when Jesus was arrested, "one of those who stood near," being armed with a sword, cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant. The same episode is repeated in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John with additional details. Matthew and John say that Jesus reproached his disciple for what he had done. Luke and John specify that the disciple struck the "right" ear of the servant. Luke only claims that Jesus "healed" the servant's ear. John only reveals that Peter was the disciple with the sword and that the servant's name was Malchus. John also claims that one of the people before whom Peter denied to be a disciple of Jesus, was "a relative" of Malchus.
The paucity of evidence and the literary nature of the narrative makes any evaluation of the historicity of the event virtually impossible. The episode seems to suggest that when Jesus was arrested there was some attempt at resistance, but it was soon overcome.
Later Christian tradition
The relic of the "sword of Peter," likely a medieval artifact, is preserved in Poland at the Poznań Archdiocesan Museum. See Relics of Peter.
In Depth
Early Christian sources
Malcus is mentioned only in Christian sources and by name, solely in the Gospel of John.
Gospel of Mark
Mark 14:47 -- One of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 26:51-52 -- Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into his place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
Gospel of Luke
Luke 22:49-51 -- Those who were around [Jesus]... asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touches his ear and healed him.
Gospel of John
John 18:10-11 -- [10] Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave's name was Malchus. [11] Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back into his sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?"
John 18:26-27 -- [26] One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did not I see you in the garden with him?" [27] Again Peter denied it...
Malcus in lterature & the arts
- Malchus (arts) -- survey of fictional works
Related categories
External links
Pages in category "Malchus (subject)"
The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total.