Devotional Reflection Based on the Incident of Peter Cutting Off Malchus's Ear: “Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.” ( Mark 14:47, Today's Korean Version ) 1. Identifying the People Involved: The person who stood beside Jesus and drew the sword was Simon Peter . The servant of the high priest was named Malchus . “Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” ( John 18:10 ) 2. Jesus' Response to Peter's Action: (a) Jesus said: “Permit even this.” ( Luke 22:51, KJV: “Suffer ye thus far”; RSV: “No more of this” ) The Greek words clarify this: “ἕως τούτου” (“heōs toutou”) = “up to this point” or “even this” “ἐᾶτε” (“eate”) = “allow it,” “let it be,” “leave it alone” Therefore, Jesus is essentially saying: “Let them do what they are doing. Do not resist any further.” “If ...
Jesus on trial (1) [John 18:28-19:16] John 18:28 says, “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.” Here, “they” (v. 28) refers to the Jewish leaders who caught Jesus, bound Him, took Him to the Sanhedrin meeting at the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, and interrogated Him and then took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, to be crucified (v. 28). And the Bible says, “they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium” (v. 28), but the Korean modern Bible translates it as ‘they led Jesus from Caiaphas' house and went to the governor's residence.’ Here, “the Praetorium” is that of Pilate, the Roman governor. Although Pilate was in charge of Caesarea (Pilate’s P...