John 18:10
New International Version
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

New Living Translation
Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave.

English Standard Version
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.)

Berean Standard Bible
Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Berean Literal Bible
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
Then Simon Peter, since he had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.

NASB 1995
Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.

NASB 1977
Simon Peter therefore having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.

Legacy Standard Bible
Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.

Amplified Bible
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then 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.)

American Standard Version
Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus.

Contemporary English Version
Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He pulled it out and struck at Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

English Revised Version
Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Simon Peter had a sword. He drew it, attacked the chief priest's servant, and cut off the servant's right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

Good News Translation
Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the High Priest's slave, cutting off his right ear. The name of the slave was Malchus.

International Standard Version
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

NET Bible
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, pulled it out and struck the high priest's slave, cutting off his right ear. (Now the slave's name was Malchus.)

New Heart English Bible
Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Weymouth New Testament
Simon Peter, however, having a sword, drew it, and, aiming at the High Priest's servant, cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

World English Bible
Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Simon Peter, therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the chief priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear—and the name of the servant was Malchus—

Berean Literal Bible
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus.

Young's Literal Translation
Simon Peter, therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the chief priest's servant, and cut off his right ear -- and the name of the servant was Malchus --

Smith's Literal Translation
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and struck the chief priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. And the name to the servant was Malchus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the name of the servant was Malchus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and he struck the servant of the high priest, and he cut off his right ear. Now the name of the servant was Malchus.

New American Bible
Then 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.

New Revised Standard Version
Then 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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But Simon Peter had a sword, and he drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malech.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Shimeon Kaypha had a sword on him and he drew it and struck the servant of The High Priest and took off his right ear, and the name of the servant was Malka.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, and struck the servant of the chief priest, and cut off his right ear. The name of the servant was Malchus.

Godbey New Testament
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the name to that servant was Malchus.

Haweis New Testament
Then Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, and struck a servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant?s name was Malchas.

Mace New Testament
but Simon Peter drew his sword, and struck off the right ear of Malchus, a servant belonging to the high priest.

Weymouth New Testament
Simon Peter, however, having a sword, drew it, and, aiming at the High Priest's servant, cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Worrell New Testament
Simon Peter, therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus.

Worsley New Testament
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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Betrayal of Jesus
9This was to fulfill the word He had spoken: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.” 10Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11“Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”…

Cross References
Matthew 26:51
At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Mark 14:47
And one of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Luke 22:49-51
Those around Jesus saw what was about to happen and said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” / And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. / But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

John 13:37-38
“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” / “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

Matthew 16:22-23
Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!” / But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Acts 12:2
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

John 6:68
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

John 13:9
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”

John 20:24-25
Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. / So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

1 Samuel 17:50-51
Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. / David ran and stood over him. He grabbed the Philistine’s sword and pulled it from its sheath and killed him, and he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

2 Samuel 2:16
Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim.

1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

Nehemiah 4:17-18
who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. / And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

John 18:26
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

Matthew 26:51-54
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear…

Mark 14:30,47
And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice…

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John 18
1. Judas betrays Jesus.
6. The officers fall to the ground.
10. Peter cuts off Malchus' ear.
12. Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.
15. Peter's denial.
19. Jesus examined before Caiaphas.
25. Peter's second and third denial.
28. Jesus arraigned before Pilate.
36. His kingdom.
40. The Jews prefer Barabbas.














Then Simon Peter
Simon Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is often portrayed as impulsive and passionate. His actions in this verse reflect his fervent loyalty to Jesus, even if misguided. The name "Simon" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "he has heard," while "Peter" is derived from the Greek "Petros," meaning "rock." This duality in names signifies Peter's foundational role in the early Church, as well as his human frailty.

drew his sword
The act of drawing a sword indicates a readiness for physical confrontation. In the context of first-century Judea, swords were common among those who anticipated conflict, especially under Roman occupation. Peter's action symbolizes a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, which was not to be advanced through violence but through love and sacrifice.

and struck the servant of the high priest
The servant, identified as belonging to the high priest, represents the religious authority that opposed Jesus. This act of aggression against a servant of the high priest highlights the tension between Jesus' followers and the Jewish religious leaders. Historically, the high priest held significant power, both religiously and politically, in Jewish society.

cutting off his right ear
The detail of the "right ear" being cut off is significant. In biblical symbolism, the right side often represents power and authority. The act of cutting off the ear could symbolize an attempt to silence or diminish the authority of the high priest's servant. This action, however, is immediately corrected by Jesus, who heals the servant, demonstrating His commitment to peace and restoration.

The servant’s name was Malchus
Naming the servant, Malchus, adds a personal dimension to the narrative. The name "Malchus" is of Semitic origin, possibly meaning "king" or "counselor." By including his name, the Gospel writer personalizes the account, reminding readers that each individual, even those who oppose Jesus, is known and significant in God's eyes. This detail underscores the theme of redemption and the personal nature of Jesus' ministry.

(10) Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it. . . .--Comp. Note on Matthew 26:51. The fact is recorded by all the Evangelists. St. John only tells us that it was done by Peter, and that the servant's name was Malchus. He is also careful to note, as St. Luke does too, that it was the "right ear."

Verse 10. - Then Simon Peter. The other evangelists simply tell us that one of the number of the disciples performed the following act. The οϋν here is introduced between Simon and Peter, as if to imply that it was not merely Simon son of Jonas, but Simon the Rock, the man of mighty impulsive passion, ready, as he said a few hours since, to go with his Master to prison and to death. The name and identification of Peter with the brave man who struck at least one blow for his Master, is a proof, not of John's animosity against Peter, or any desire to humble him, but rather to exalt him. The extraordinary concomitance of this act with all the other delineations of Peter's character is another undesigned hint of the authenticity of the narrative. Simon Peter, then, having a sword. Here we see the unintentional agreement with the synoptic narrative (Luke 22:38). Nothing would be less likely than that Peter should have a sword at his disposal; i.e. judging from the Johannine narrative. The Gospel of Luke explains it. Having a sword, he drew it, and smote the slave (not one of the ὑπηρέται, but the δοῦλος, body-servant) of the high priest, and eat off his right ear. The slave, in receiving such a wound, must have been in fearful danger of his life. The reference to the right ear, mentioned also by Luke (Luke 22:50), is noteworthy. Now the name of the slave was Malchus. Here the eye-witness, not the theologian, nor the dramatist, reveals his hand. Thoma sees, however, the fulfillment of prophetic outline, and a reference to the kings and chief captains, the Malchuses and chiliarchs, that are ultimately to flee before him. The subsequently mentioned circumstance (Ver. 15) that the evangelist was "known to the high priest," explains this recovery of an otherwise valueless name. The instant when Peter cried, "Shall we smite with the sword?" was most opportune. For the moment Peter felt that the whole band could be discomfited by a bold stroke. Christ with his word, the brave-hearted apostle with his weapon, could scatter all the foes of the Lord. As on so many other occasions, Peter gives advice to the Master, only to find himself in grievous mistake.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

Simon
Σίμων (Simōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4613: Simon. Of Hebrew origin; Simon, the name of nine Israelites.

Peter
Πέτρος (Petros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

drew
εἵλκυσεν (heilkysen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1670: To drag, draw, pull, persuade, unsheathe. Or helko hel'-ko; probably akin to haireomai; to drag.

[his]
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

sword
μάχαιραν (machairan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3162: A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

struck
ἔπαισεν (epaisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3817: To strike, smite, sting. A primary verb; to hit; specially, to sting.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

servant
δοῦλον (doulon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

high priest,
ἀρχιερέως (archiereōs)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

cutting off
ἀπέκοψεν (apekopsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 609: From apo and kopto; to amputate; reflexively to mutilate.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

right
δεξιόν (dexion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

ear.
ὠτάριον (ōtarion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5621: An ear. Diminutive of ous; an earlet, i.e. One of the ears, or perhaps the lobe of the ear.

The
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

servant’s
δούλῳ (doulō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

name
ὄνομα (onoma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

Malchus.
Μάλχος (Malchos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3124: Malchus, a servant of the high-priest at Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Malchus, an Israelite.


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NT Gospels: John 18:10 Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew (Jhn Jo Jn)
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