Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 26:51

"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 (ASV)

One of those who were with Jesus — It is remarkable that, although all four Gospels record the fact, St. John alone (John 18:10–11) records the names of both the disciple who struck the blow (Peter) and the servant whom he attacked. The reticence of the first three Gospels in this instance, as in that of the woman with the box of ointment, must have been obviously intentional, but it is not easy to conjecture the motive.

Drew his sword — We learn from Luke 22:33 that there were only two swords in the whole company of the twelve. One of these was naturally in Peter’s possession, as he was the foremost of the group.

A servant of the high priest — St. John (John 18:11), with the precision characteristic of his narrative, especially in this part of the Gospel history, gives the servant’s name as Malchus and states that it was the right ear that was cut off. It seems he came not as one of the officers of the Temple, but as the personal slave of Caiaphas.

Three of the four Gospels use the diminutive form of the Greek word for “ear,” with only St. Luke (Luke 22:50) using the standard word. It is doubtful, however, whether the diminutive form was used with any special significance. St. Luke (Luke 22:51) is also the only one who records that our Lord touched and healed the wound.