Whose ear was cut off with a sword at the arrest of Jesus?

In Mark 14:47, we find a striking moment during the arrest of Jesus. A vivid detail pops up here: a servant of the High Priest named Malchus lost his ear to Peter’s impulsive strike. It's fascinating to note the oddity of such a detail—a seemingly minor character's injury shines a light on the chaotic yet critical moment before Jesus' crucifixion.

Have you ever thought about the implications of this act of violence? In the heat of the moment, Peter attempts to defend Jesus with a sword, revealing how much he tried to grasp onto a tangible solution, proving the deep love and confusion swirling in his spirit. There's this powerful contrast between Peter's impulsive zeal and Jesus’ message of peace—He tells Peter to put the sword away, sealing the fate that had been prophesied for Him.

This scene echoes throughout the scriptures, touching on themes of spiritual insight versus human reaction. Meanwhile, let's not overlook the fact that later, in John 18:10, we see Jesus restoring Malchus’ ear after performing one of the final miraculous acts not just of His ministry, but an irrefutable sign of His identity as a healer.

This exchange mirrors many connections found in Jewish scripture, where violence at the hands of the zealots often led them to miss the depth of fulfilling the divine intentions wrapped up in peace-making and reconciliation. Quite a tapestry of meaning arises from this singular moment! Each of these players—Peter, Jesus, and Malchus—are channels through which larger lessons on faith, follow-through, and grace emerges.