THE EAR OF MALCHUS
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© God’s Breath Publications

There are numerous accounts of Jesus performing healings in the New Testament, but none are as peculiar as the healing of the high priest’s servant’s ear. We are given accounts of this rash act of violence on the part of Peter in the gospels (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, John 18). We are told that Peter used a sword to cut off this appendage only to have Jesus rebuke him for his thoughtless actions and heal the servant on the spot. We know nothing of this servant other than the fact that he assisted the Jewish high priest and that his name was Malchus. While we do not know why Malchus was present it can be assumed that he accompanied his master in order to serve him in any way necessary. As I thought about this situation I wondered what impact this incident had on the life of this servant. Sit back and read my imaginary account of a possibility. While I draw from the gospels for factual occurrences, I will use imagination to describe the feelings and thoughts of Malchus, the servant of the high priest.

 

Malchus had served his master the high priest for several years now. While he didn’t always like the religious ravings of the man, he was more kind than many other masters he had heard about. Generous he was not, but he provided the essentials for survival. Malchus had received word earlier in the day that he was to accompany his master to the garden at Gethsemane. He wasn’t sure why they would be traveling to this area. The landscape was thick with olive trees and a beautiful place to walk. Malchus had heard rumors that the man Jesus and his disciples frequented the place. His knowledge of this is what concerned Malchus, for he knew only too well the tension which had been growing between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. He sensed a confrontation on the horizon between his master, the high priest, and Jesus. It would not be a good exchange when it took place. He wondered if this was what was to take place tonight. Malchus finished his chores and decided to see if there was anything his master needed done before they left for the olive grove of Gethsemane.

 

“Master, is there anything you desire before we travel to Gethsemane?”

 

“No, everything has been arranged. We will meet the others who are going with us at the bottom of the trail to the grove. Let us leave now and say nothing to anyone on the way!”

 

“Yes master.”

 

The secretive manner of his master concerned Malchus even more. What was to happen?

 

The high priest and Malchus walked down the road to the trail that led to the grove of olive trees at Gethsemane. Malchus’ heart beat loudly within his chest as he saw the individuals who had gathered at the trailhead. There were numerous religious officials and their servants but Malchus was most concerned about the soldiers who were present. They were ominous in appearance, dressed in their battle armor. He noticed their deadly swords that hung from their leather belts. This would not be a good night. Whenever Roman soldiers and religious leaders joined forces the purpose and intent could not be for a just cause. Malchus noticed another figure in the shadows of the trees. He thought he recognized him as one of Jesus’ disciples. Was it the man called Judas? This didn’t make sense unless there was treachery afoot.

 

“Let us continue.” the high priest announced.

 

The group of soldiers, priests, servants and rogue disciple began the short journey up the trail to the garden of Gethsemane. Their torches and lanterns glowed in the dark casting dancing shadows of enlarged figures walking amongst the trees. The light would often bounce off the gleaming armor of the soldiers and remind Malchus of the danger that lurked in this group. He had never heard Jesus speak, but he knew Jesus didn’t deserve such a visitation. He had done nothing wrong from what he had seen or heard. If anything, he challenged the cold religious leaders of the Jewish faith for ignoring the truth of God and abusing their positions. It would be interesting to see how Jesus handled such a confrontation. The group of persecutors arrived in a small clearing where they noticed Jesus standing with three of his disciples.

 

“Who is it you want?” Jesus asked.

 

“Jesus of Nazareth.” replied the high priest.

 

“I AM HE.” replied Jesus.

 

As soon as Jesus spoke these words, all those who had walked the trail together drew back and fell to the ground. The grunting of the priests and servants as they struck the earth was intermixed with the clanking of armor against armor as soldiers fell upon one another. Malchus had fallen to the ground as well for some reason, he did not know why. It was almost as if an invisible force, prompted by Jesus’ words, had knocked them down. As he rose to his feet he watched as the priests dusted off their now blemished expensive robes and the soldier’s attempts to regain their composure of self assurance. Malchus thought it was almost humorous what had happened, the tumbling together of this mass of men when Jesus spoke, but he remembered that the night was not over yet.

 

Again Jesus asked, “Who is it you want?” …As if to attempt to help the group in their efforts to procure him.

 

The high priest replied with renewed determination, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

 

“I told you that I am he.” Jesus replied. “If you are looking for me then let these men go.” Jesus gestured to Peter, James and John who were also present.

 

Malchus noticed the man in the back move forward towards Jesus. His face appeared in the torch light. Malchus was sure it was the disciple called Judas. Judas approached Jesus, went up to him and said, “Rabbi” and then kissed him on the cheek. Malchus noticed the high priest smile apparently receiving verification that the man they were after had been identified.

 

The soldiers moved forward to take hold of Jesus. Malchus noticed out of the corner of his eye movement by one of the disciples. He turned to face the disciple who was lunging forward with sword in hand. He managed to attempt a dodge at the swing of the sword but was not completely successful. The blade grazed the side of his head and sliced off his ear. Blood poured down the side of Malchus’ head and shoulder as he fell to the ground. The pain was intense as he clutched the side of his head with both hands and moaned. Then Malchus heard Jesus speak.

 

“Put your sword away. Shall I not drink of the cup that the Father has given me? No more of this.”

 

Then something happened that Malchus would never forget. Jesus gently placed His hand on the side of Malchus’ bloody head. Malchus removed his hands that protected his tender wound. He felt a warm tingling where his ear had been as Jesus touched him. He dared a gaze into Jesus’ eyes in the dimly lit arena of the olive grove. The eyes were full of love and concern. They pierced to the deepest part of Malchus’ soul. Malchus believed at that moment that he was looking into the eyes of God. Jesus turned away as Malchus reached up to the side of his head and felt his restored healthy ear as it was always meant to be.

 

The soldiers grabbed Jesus and led him away. Malchus rose to his feet and returned to his earthly master’s side knowing that his true master had just been arrested. Malchus decided at that moment that his heart, mind and soul belonged to the one they call Jesus. He would seek out these Christians and see if he could learn more of this man who had revealed to him that the Messiah had come.