Mark 14:47 Meaning and Explanation
“And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →One of the bystanders draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.
What Does Mark 14:47 Mean?
One of them that stood by — John tells us it was Peter, and names the servant Malchus (John 18:10) — answers the arrest with steel. The blow aims for more than an ear and takes only an ear. It is loyalty of exactly the kind Peter promised at supper: dramatic, brave, and wrong.
Luke records that Jesus healed the wound — his last miracle before the cross, mercy shown to the arrest party itself (Luke 22:51). Zeal for Christ that wounds people contradicts the Christ it means to defend; his kingdom does not advance by the sword (Matthew 26:52; John 18:36). The blade goes back in its sheath, and healing has the final word.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 14:47
What does Mark 14:47 mean?
One of the bystanders draws a sword and cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.