The Encounter:
As the crowd approached to seize Him, a disciple used a sword against the high priest’s servant. The servant is identified as Malchus in John’s account (John 18:10).
The Divine Intervention:
Jesus commanded the violence to stop—“No more of this!”—and then touched the man’s ear and healed him (Luke 22:51). In the parallel accounts, Jesus also rebuked the use of the sword and submitted to arrest in fulfillment of Scripture (Matt. 26:52–54; John 18:11).
The Immediate Result:
The severed ear was restored by Jesus’ touch (Luke 22:51). The arresting authorities proceeded to take Jesus, and He confronted them for coming as against a robber rather than arresting Him openly in the temple (Luke 22:52–53).
This healing reveals Jesus’ divine authority over bodily harm even in the moment of His own betrayal and arrest. He restrains retaliation, rejects advancing His kingdom by violence, and willingly submits to the Father’s will (Luke 22:51; John 18:11). The sign underscores that Jesus is not overcome by circumstances; He is the Messiah who heals and yet chooses the path to the cross according to Scripture (Matt. 26:54).
Luke uses the verb ἰάομαι (iaomai, “to heal”) for Jesus’ restoration (Luke 22:51), a term often associated with real, observable healing. The victim is a servant of the high priest, highlighting the irony that in the very act of being opposed by Israel’s leadership, Jesus performs a merciful work that benefits their household (John 18:10).
“But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him.” — Luke 22:51
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. During Jesus’ arrest, what injury occurred to the servant of the high priest?
2. What did Jesus do after saying, “No more of this!”?