Malchus, Servant of the High Priest

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.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”  John 18:10-11


When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they 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.  Luke 22:49-51

This incident is recorded in each of the four gospels; only John names Malchus as the servant and Peter as the disciple.  Only Luke mentions Jesus' healing of the ear.

It's worth noting that the gospel writers, as men, wrote details that were important to them.  John, as a devout Jew, knew that power and purpose of names.  "Malchus" means counselor or king.  So I think John has a strong purpose for sharing Malchus' name.  (More on that later.)  Luke, as a physician, would have seen the significance in the healing. 

Malchus was a servant for the high priest, who we will talk about tomorrow.  His presence at the arrest of Jesus, mentioned in a different role than the soldiers, was probably as an observer - really, a spy for his boss.  His role was to return to his employer and share who did what, how the arrest went, did Judas really betray him, etc. 

His intentions are unclear, his heart status is unmentioned.  Did Malchus believe in Jesus once his ear was healed?  Did he come to this place with any expectation?  Did he want to see this Jesus for himself, this man who declared himself the son of God, this man who had so incensed his boss and fellow leaders?

Or did he arrive with biting instructions on how to feel and react and think ringing in his ear?  Perhaps the loss of his ear was symbolic, a spiritual message to him - and to us - to choose carefully what we hear.

Can you imagine the momentary agony that Malchus felt?  Blood pouring from his head.  I visualize his screaming in pain, dropping to his knees, writhing on the ground.  Peter, looking at once both triumphant and horrified.  Chaos ensues.  Then Jesus steps up.  A sharp rebuke to Peter.  A gentle touch to Malchus.  Sudden, fleeting calm.

I think it fitting and telling that his name means counselor, king.  This servant's name means king.  At the moment that Jesus personally reveals himself to Malchus in a supernatural way, we understand the meaning of his name, and the reason that John shared his name in the first place.  Because at the moment - that sudden, fleeting calm of a moment - when Malchus looks up and makes eye contact with Jesus - I imagine that Malchus suddenly knows his name.  Personified, in the man standing before him. The King.  The Servant.  I imagine that Jesus reaches out his hand and helps Malchus up.  I imagine that in an instant, without another word, Malchus believes.  Malchus' ears - both of them - are healed. 

We can learn a lot from Malchus.  We can learn that what we have some control over what we hear.  We have control over who we choose to listen to.  We can allow Jesus to heal our hearing, and we can listen to him instead of the world.