“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “you are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (v.37).
The other Gospels describe a mob rather than a military detachment, but it is probable that a small team of Roman soldiers and temple guards set out to take Jesus. There is no natural explanation for the arresting officers “fall to the ground.” There may, however, be a supernatural one. Jesus’ words, “I am He” incorporates the “I am” claim He made earlier (Jn 8: 24, 28, 58). Even the veiled reference to His essential nature momentarily stuns His enemies. (Compare Phil 2: 10-11).
John’s Gospel stands apart from the others in the attention to detail he records. Malchus, identified by John as the servant of the High Priest, indicates that he occupied a high position in the religious hierarchy. Malchus was likely the leader of the group come to arrest Jesus. Peter steps forward and cuts off Malchus’ right ear.
The right ear, in particular, holds a special place in biblical references. Matthew 13:16 reads, “But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” According to biblical scholars, the right ear may be a receiver for divine communication and a bridge to a spiritual awakening (Compare the closing sentences to each of the seven letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation). The implication is that without a right ear, Malchus is ‘deaf’ to the spiritual reality of who Jesus really is.
(Interestingly only in Luke 22:51, do we read that ‘Jesus healed the servant's ear.’).
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Questions:
Why does John bother to identify both Malchus and Peter? Who do we know who is ‘spiritually deaf’ and needs a healing ‘touch from the king’?
Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you that you did not attempt to avoid that for which you were born; to die in my place, for my transgressions. Today, may I live an eternally grateful life, that I might honour you, my King. Amen.