Bible Figure
Malchus
Malchus was the servant of the high priest whose right ear was cut off during Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. John alone gives the servant's name and identifies Peter as the disciple who struck him. Luke records that Jesus healed the wounded ear.
Biography
Malchus appears only in the arrest narrative. When the armed party came to seize Jesus in Gethsemane, Simon Peter drew a sword and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. John identifies the servant as Malchus; the Synoptic Gospels describe the same incident without naming him, and Luke adds that Jesus touched the man's ear and healed him. Jesus rebuked the use of the sword and submitted to arrest. Scripture tells us nothing further about Malchus—neither his later reaction nor whether he became a follower of Jesus. Because he served the high priest, he was connected with the household of the Jerusalem priestly establishment, but attempts to reconstruct more of his life are speculative.
Biblical Significance
Malchus is significant because his injury and healing occur at the moment Jesus refuses violent resistance and willingly submits to arrest. The episode contrasts Peter's impulsive use of force with Jesus' command and mercy toward a member of the arresting party. Luke's record of the healing makes Malchus the recipient of Jesus' final recorded healing miracle before the crucifixion.