mentioned is recorded by all the four Gospel- writers, but John alone gives tiie name of Peter as the striker, and of Malchus as the person struck. The reason commonly assigned for this is prol^ably correct. John's Gospel was written long after the other three, when Peter and Malchus were both dead, and their names could, therefore, be safely mentioned.
Peter's impetuous temperament comes out in the action be- fore us. Impulsive, earnest, zealous, and inconsiderate of con- sequences, he acted hastily, and his zeal soon cooled down and was changed into fear. It is not those who are for a time most demonstrative and fervent, whose religion is deepest. John never smote with the sword ; but John never denied his Lord, and was at the foot of the cross when Christ died.
The use of the article " the" before " servant " would seem to indicate that Malchus was some person well known as an at tendant of Caiaphas.
Whether the ear was cut olBF entirely, or only so cut as to hang down by the skin, may be left to conjecture. In any case we know that it gave occasion for the last miracle of bodily cure which our Lord ever wrought. Luke tells us that He " touched " the ear, and it was instantaneously healed. To the very end of His ministry our Lord did good to His enemies, and gave proof of His divine power. But His hardened enemies gave no heed. Miracles alone convert no one. As in the case of Pharaoh, they only seem to make some men harder and more wicked.
We cannot doubt that Peter meant to kill Malchus with this blow, which was probably aimed at his head. His own agita- tion probably, and the special interposition of God, alone pre- vented him taking away the life of another, and endangering his own life and that of his fellow-disciples. What might have happened if Malchus had been killed, no one can tell.
Musculus remarks how entirely Peter seems to have forgot- ten all His Master's frequent predictions that He would be de- livered to the Gentiles and be condemned to death, and acts as if he could prevent what was coming. It was clearly an im- pulsive act, done without reflection. Zeal not according to knowledge often drives a man into foolish actions, and makes work for repentance.
11.— [Then said Jesus. .Me sheath.] This was the language of firm and decided rebuke. It was meant to teach Peter, and all Christians in every age. that the Gospel is not to be propagated or maintained by carnal weapons, or by smiting and violence. Matthew adds the solemn words "All they that take the sword phall perish with the sword." How needful the rebuke, and how true the comment, have often been proved by the history of the Church of Christ. The appeal to the sword can rarely be justified, and has often recoiled on the lieadof its promoters.