Luke 22:51

KJV

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and said {G2036}, Suffer ye {G1439} thus {G5127} far {G2193}. And {G2532} he touched {G680} his {G846} ear {G5621}, and healed {G2390} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua answered, “Just let me do this,” and, touching the man’s ear, he healed him.

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed him.

American Standard Version

But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye them thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:51 captures a profound moment during Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, where, immediately after Peter's impulsive act of violence, Jesus commands His disciples to cease their resistance. In an astonishing display of divine compassion and authority, He then touches the severed ear of the high priest's servant, Malchus, and miraculously heals him. This act underscores Jesus' unwavering commitment to non-violence, His boundless mercy even toward His adversaries, and His sovereign power, even as He willingly submits to the path of suffering and crucifixion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal juncture in Luke's narrative, following Jesus' agonizing prayer in [Gethsemane](/luke/22-39-46 "Luke 22:39-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane") and the arrival of the arresting party led by Judas Iscariot. The disciples, witnessing the betrayal and impending arrest of their Lord, react with fear and a desire to defend Him. [Luke 22:49-50](/luke/22-49-50 "Luke 22:49-50 - Disciples Ask and Peter Acts") specifically describes one of them (identified as Simon Peter in [John 18:10](/john/18-10 "John 18:10 - Peter Cuts Off Ear")) asking, "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" and then immediately striking the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. Luke 22:51 is Jesus' immediate and decisive response to this act of violence, halting further conflict and demonstrating His kingdom's true nature. It serves as a final, powerful illustration of His character and mission before His trial and crucifixion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The arrest of Jesus occurred during the Passover festival, a time of heightened religious and political tension in Jerusalem. Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish religious authorities (the Sanhedrin, led by the high priest) sought to maintain order and prevent any uprising that might provoke Roman intervention. The presence of temple guards and elders indicates an official, albeit clandestine, operation sanctioned by the Jewish leadership. The disciples' readiness to use swords reflects a common expectation among some Jews for a Messiah who would lead a military revolt against Roman oppression, a notion Jesus consistently subverted. Jesus' healing of a servant of the high priest, a figure representing the very authority seeking His death, was a culturally shocking act of grace, transcending the expected retribution of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:51 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights Jesus' **compassion and mercy**, even towards His enemies, echoing His teaching to [love those who persecute you](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies"). It underscores the theme of **non-violence** and the nature of Jesus' kingdom, which is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). The miraculous healing reaffirms Jesus' **divine power and authority**, demonstrating His ability to perform miracles even when He is seemingly powerless and vulnerable, about to be taken captive. Finally, it emphasizes Jesus' **submission to the Father's will**, as He prevents any resistance that would thwart the divine plan for His arrest and crucifixion, a submission foreshadowed in His [prayer in Gethsemane](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Not My Will, But Yours Be Done").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suffer ye (Greek, _eáō'_):** This word (G1439), often translated as "to let be," "permit," or "leave alone," carries the sense of allowing something to happen or ceasing an action. In this context, Jesus' command "Suffer ye thus far" is a direct imperative for His disciples to stop their physical resistance and allow the arrest to proceed. It signifies a cessation of violence and a submission to the unfolding events, embodying Jesus' willingness to endure the path set before Him.
* **touched (Greek, _háptomai'_):** The verb (G680) means "to attach oneself to" or "to touch" in various implied relations. Here, it describes Jesus' physical contact with the severed ear. This touch is not merely incidental; in the Gospels, Jesus' touch often precedes or accompanies miraculous healing, signifying His personal engagement, compassion, and the transfer of divine power. It is a deliberate act of intervention and restoration.
* **healed (Greek, _iáomai'_):** This term (G2390) is a standard Greek verb for "to cure" or "to make whole," used for both literal physical healing and figurative spiritual restoration. In this instance, it denotes a complete and instantaneous restoration of the severed ear, a powerful and undeniable miracle performed by Jesus. The use of this word emphasizes the completeness and supernatural nature of the restoration, highlighting Jesus' divine capacity to mend what is broken.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far."**: This clause reveals Jesus' immediate and authoritative response to Peter's violent act. His command, "Suffer ye thus far," functions as a definitive halt to the disciples' physical resistance. It signifies His rejection of violence as a means to advance His kingdom and His willingness to submit to the Father's plan, even if it meant His arrest and eventual crucifixion. This statement prevents further bloodshed and underscores His control over the situation, despite His apparent vulnerability.
* **"And he touched his ear, and healed him."**: This second clause describes Jesus' astonishing act of compassion and miraculous power. In the midst of His own betrayal and impending suffering, Jesus extends grace to an adversary. His physical touch, followed by instantaneous healing, demonstrates His divine authority over physical ailments and His boundless mercy. This act is a final, public display of His redemptive mission to bring wholeness and restoration, even to those who oppose Him, contrasting sharply with the hostility of the moment.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:51 is rich with **Irony**, as Jesus, the one being arrested and seemingly powerless, exercises ultimate power by performing a miracle of healing on His captor. This act subverts expectations, demonstrating that His authority is not derived from worldly force but from divine grace. There is also strong **Contrast** between Peter's impulsive violence and Jesus' calm, compassionate response. This highlights the fundamental difference between the kingdom of God, which operates through love and sacrifice, and the kingdoms of this world, which often resort to force. The healing itself carries **Symbolism**, as the restoration of the ear could represent the spiritual healing and ability to "hear" the truth that Jesus offers, even to those who are spiritually deaf or hostile to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:51 profoundly illustrates the core theological tenets of Christ's character and mission. It showcases His divine compassion, extending grace even to those who are actively participating in His betrayal and arrest. This act is a living embodiment of His teaching to love one's enemies and pray for those who persecute you, revealing that His kingdom is not advanced through violence or retaliation, but through sacrificial love and supernatural power. It underscores the theme of submission to God's sovereign will, as Jesus prevents any resistance that would hinder the unfolding of the divine plan for humanity's salvation. This miracle, performed at the very moment of His capture, serves as a final testament to His identity as the Son of God, whose power is demonstrated not in escaping suffering, but in transforming it with grace.

* [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")
* [Romans 12:19-21](/romans/12-19-21 "Romans 12:19-21 - Overcome Evil with Good")
* [1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example in Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:51 offers a powerful and counter-cultural challenge to believers in every age. In a world often characterized by retaliation, injustice, and the cycle of violence, Jesus' example calls us to a radically different response. When faced with opposition, betrayal, or even direct harm, are we quick to draw our own "swords" of anger, harsh words, or vengeful actions, or do we, like Jesus, choose the path of compassion and grace? This verse reminds us that true strength is found not in asserting our power or defending our rights through force, but in extending mercy and trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty. It challenges us to embody Christ's love in hostile environments, demonstrating that His kingdom operates on principles entirely distinct from worldly power dynamics. Our call is to be agents of healing and reconciliation, even when it costs us dearly, reflecting the very heart of our Savior.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' command to "Suffer ye thus far" challenge my instinctive reactions when I feel threatened or wronged?**
* **In what practical ways can I extend compassion and healing to those who may be "against" me, rather than retaliating?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of the nature of Jesus' kingdom and my role within it?**
* **What specific "ear" (a broken relationship, a hurtful word, an unjust situation) might God be calling me to "touch" with His healing grace today?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus heal the ear of His captor, Malchus?**

Answer: Jesus healed Malchus's ear for several profound reasons. First, it was a direct demonstration of His divine power, even as He was being arrested. This miracle served as undeniable evidence of His identity, performed at a moment when His authority might seem to be diminished. Second, it was a powerful act of compassion and mercy, embodying His teaching to [love one's enemies](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and showing grace even to those who sought His harm. Third, it was a symbolic rejection of violence as a means to advance God's kingdom. By healing the wound inflicted by His disciple, Jesus underscored that His mission was not one of worldly conquest but of spiritual redemption and reconciliation. This act prevented further escalation of violence and affirmed His willing submission to the Father's plan for His crucifixion.

**What is the meaning of Jesus' phrase "Suffer ye thus far"?**

Answer: The phrase "Suffer ye thus far" (KJV), or more accurately translated as "No more of this!" or "Stop!" or "Permit even this," is Jesus' direct command to His disciples to cease their physical resistance. It's an imperative to halt the violence initiated by Peter's sword. This command signals Jesus' absolute rejection of armed defense in His arrest and His full acceptance of the path of suffering and sacrifice that lay before Him. He was not to be rescued by human force, but would willingly lay down His life according to the divine will, as He had prayed in [Gethsemane](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Not My Will, But Yours Be Done").

**Is this miracle of healing Malchus's ear recorded in other Gospels?**

Answer: The incident of the disciple striking the high priest's servant is recorded in all four Gospels, but only Luke explicitly mentions Jesus' healing of the ear. [Matthew 26:51-52](/matthew/26-51-52 "Matthew 26:51-52 - Peter's Sword and Jesus' Rebuke") and [Mark 14:47](/mark/14-47 "Mark 14:47 - The Disciple's Sword") describe the disciple's act and Jesus' rebuke of the violence. [John 18:10-11](/john/18-10-11 "John 18:10-11 - Peter Identified and Jesus' Cup") identifies the disciple as Simon Peter and the servant as Malchus, and records Jesus' command to Peter to put away his sword, emphasizing His acceptance of the "cup" of suffering. Luke's account uniquely highlights Jesus' compassionate and miraculous act of healing, further emphasizing His character as the compassionate Savior even in His darkest hour.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:51 stands as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, revealing the very heart of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' act of healing Malchus's ear, even as He is being betrayed and arrested, is a microcosm of His entire mission. It foreshadows the ultimate healing He would accomplish on the cross—not just of a severed ear, but of humanity's severed relationship with God due to sin. His willingness to submit to arrest, preventing His disciples from fighting, points to His greater submission to the Father's will to become the sacrificial Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The physical healing of Malchus prefigures the spiritual healing available to all who believe, a healing that comes "by His stripes" ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - By His Wounds We Are Healed")). Jesus, the sympathetic High Priest ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")), demonstrated that His power was not for self-preservation, but for the reconciliation of all things to God through His blood ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). This moment in Gethsemane encapsulates the essence of Christ's example of suffering for righteousness, calling His followers to imitate His non-retaliatory love and trust in divine sovereignty ([1 Peter 2:21-24](/1_peter/2-21-24 "1 Peter 2:21-24 - Christ's Example of Suffering")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 12:21

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 Corinthians 10:1

¶ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

John 17:12

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

1 Peter 2:21

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

John 18:8

Jesus answered, I have told you that I am [he]: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

John 18:9

That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.