Mark 14:47

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

And {G1161} one {G5100} of them {G1520} that stood by {G3936} drew {G4685} a sword {G3162}, and smote {G3817} a servant {G1401} of the high priest {G749}, and {G2532} cut off {G851} his {G846} ear {G5621}.

but one of the people standing nearby drew his sword and struck at the servant of the cohen hagadol, cutting off his ear.

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

But a certain one of them that stood by drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.

Commentary

Mark 14:47 vividly captures a moment of intense drama during Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. This verse highlights the impulsive human reaction to perceived injustice, contrasting sharply with Jesus' divine submission and purpose. It's a pivotal scene that underscores themes of divine sovereignty, human zeal, and the nature of Christ's kingdom.

Context of Mark 14:47

This verse occurs immediately after Judas Iscariot has betrayed Jesus with a kiss, signaling His identity to the chief priests, scribes, and elders who had come with swords and staves to arrest Him. The disciples, who had just witnessed Jesus' agony in prayer, were now confronted with the harsh reality of His capture. In this tense atmosphere, "one of them that stood by" acted swiftly. While Mark does not name him, other Gospel accounts identify this individual as Simon Peter, and the servant of the high priest as Malchus.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Impulsive Human Reaction vs. Divine Plan: Peter's action, drawing a sword and striking the servant, was an immediate and understandable human reaction to protect his master. However, it was impulsive and not aligned with Jesus' greater purpose. It illustrates the struggle between human zeal and God's predetermined plan for salvation.
  • Jesus' Authority and Non-Resistance: Despite the violent outburst, Jesus immediately intervened, demonstrating His control over the situation and His commitment to fulfilling prophecy. He rebuked the use of physical force, as recorded in Matthew 26:52 ("Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.") and John 18:11 ("Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"). His kingdom was not to be established by force.
  • Jesus' Compassion Amidst Betrayal: Though Mark's account is concise, Luke's Gospel adds the detail of Jesus healing the servant's ear. This act of miraculous compassion, even towards an adversary in the moment of His arrest, profoundly illustrates Jesus' character and His teaching to love enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "smote a servant" comes from the Greek word epataxen (ἐπάταξΡν), which means to strike, hit, or smite. It suggests a sudden, forceful blow, reflecting the intensity of Peter's attempt to defend Jesus. The servant's name, Malchus (ΞœΞ¬Ξ»Ο‡ΞΏΟ‚), is of Semitic origin, likely meaning "king" or "counselor," adding a subtle layer of irony to his position as a servant involved in the arrest of the true King.

Practical Application

Mark 14:47 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • Trust in Divine Providence: We are reminded not to rely on our own strength or impulsive reactions when faced with challenges, but to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it is difficult to understand.
  • The Nature of Spiritual Warfare: Jesus' response teaches that the true battle is spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12). Our weapons are spiritual, not carnal, and include prayer, faith, and the Word of God.
  • Embrace Compassion and Non-Retaliation: Jesus' example of healing the ear, even of an antagonist, calls us to extend grace and compassion to those who oppose us, resisting the urge for vengeance or retaliation.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 26:51

    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.

  • Matthew 26:54

    But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

  • Luke 22:49

    When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

  • Luke 22:51

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

  • John 18:10

    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 18:11

    Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
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