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.

And {G2532}, behold {G2400}, one {G1520} of them which were with {G3326} Jesus {G2424} stretched out {G1614} his hand {G5495}, and drew {G645} his {G846} sword {G3162}, and {G2532} struck {G3960} a servant {G1401} of the high priest's {G749}, and smote off {G851} his {G846} ear {G5621}.

At that, one of the men with Yeshua reached for his sword, drew it out and struck at the servant of the cohen hagadol, cutting off his ear.

At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

And behold, one of them that were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear.

Matthew 26:51 describes a pivotal moment during the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As a large crowd, led by Judas Iscariot, approached to seize Jesus, one of His disciples reacted with a sudden, violent act of defense.

Context of Matthew 26:51

This verse immediately follows Jesus' identification by Judas with a kiss and the subsequent advance of the arresting party, which included chief priests, elders, and a multitude with swords and staves (Matthew 26:47). The disciples, though having just witnessed Jesus' profound agony and prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), were still struggling to comprehend the divine plan unfolding. Their understanding of Jesus' kingdom was likely still tied to earthly power and liberation, leading to this impulsive response in a moment of crisis.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Impulsive Human Reaction: The disciple's act of drawing a sword and striking the servant's ear highlights a human tendency to react with force and anger in perceived threats, rather than trusting in God's sovereign plan. Though Matthew does not name him, John 18:10 identifies this disciple as Peter, and the servant as Malchus.
  • Jesus' Non-Resistance and Divine Will: This violent act stands in stark contrast to Jesus' own posture of submission to the Father's will. Rather than allowing His followers to fight for His release, Jesus immediately rebuked the action (Matthew 26:52) and, according to Luke 22:51, even healed the servant's ear. This emphasizes that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36) and would not be established through physical force.
  • Fulfillment of Scripture: Jesus' willingness to be arrested and endure suffering was essential for the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's atoning work. The disciples' attempt to prevent His arrest, while born of loyalty, was ultimately an impedance to the divine plan.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "smote off his ear" uses the Greek verb ἀποκόπτω (apokoptō), meaning "to cut off completely." This detail underscores the severity and directness of the physical assault, emphasizing the impulsive nature of Peter's action in defense of Jesus.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:51 serves as a powerful reminder that followers of Christ are called to rely on God's power and divine providence, rather than resorting to human strength or impulsive, violent reactions, even in defense of what they believe is right. It teaches us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it involves suffering or appears contrary to our immediate desires for vindication or control. Our battles are not primarily physical, but spiritual, requiring different tools than swords (Ephesians 6:12).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4

    (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

  • 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.

  • John 18:36

    Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 26:35

    Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

  • Luke 22:36

    Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

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