Luke 22:50

Or that servant is the Jewish people sold by the High Priests to an unlawful obligation, who, by the Passion of our Lord, lost their right ear; that is, the spiritual understanding of the law. And this ear indeed is cut off by Peter's sword, not that he takes away the sense of understanding from those that hear, but manifests it withdrawn by the judgment of God from the careless. But the same right ear in those who among the same people have believed, is restored by the Divine condescension to its former office.

The disciples are inflamed with zeal, and unsheath their swords. But whence have they swords? Because they had slain the lamb, and had departed from the feast. Now the other disciples ask whether they should strike; but Peter, always fervent in defence of his Master, waits not for permission, but straightway strikes the servant of the High Priest; as it follows, And one of them smote, &c.

Whence he adds: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. This, however, was Peter. Hence three Evangelists do not name him out of reverence, but John names him to intimate his fervent zeal; whence John …

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest,.... The person that drew his sword, and performed this daring action, not waiting for an answer from Christ, was Peter, and the high priest's servant, that he smote, was Malchus; both which we learn from Joh 18:10 and cut off his right ear; he aimed, no doubt, at his head, but missing his blow, took off his right ear.

We should learn, for one thing, from these verses — that the worst and most wicked acts may be done under a show of love to Christ . We read that when the traitor Judas brought the enemies of Christ to capture Him — he betrayed Him "with a kiss." He made a pretense of affection and respect — at the very moment when he was about to deliver his Master into the hands of his deadliest enemies! Conduct like this, unhappily, is not without its parallels.

We should learn, for one thing, from these verses — that the worst and most wicked acts may be done under a show of love to Christ . We read that when the traitor Judas brought the enemies of Christ to capture Him — he betrayed Him "with a kiss." He made a pretense of affection and respect — at the very moment when he was about to deliver his Master into the hands of his deadliest enemies! Conduct like this, unhappily, is not without its parallels. The pages of history record many an instance of enormous wickedness done under the garb of religion. The name of God has too often been pressed into the service of persecution, treachery, and crime! When Jezebel would have Naboth killed, she ordered a "fast to be proclaimed," and false witnesses to accuse him of "blaspheming God and the king." (1 Kings 21:9-10.) When the Catholic church led a crusade against the Christians in southern France, they were ordered to be murdered and pillaged, as an act of service to Christ. When the Spanish Inquisition tortured and burned Christians — they justified their abominable dealings by a profession of zeal for God's truth. The false apostle Judas Iscariot has never lacked successors and imitators! There have always been men ready to betray Christ with a kiss, and willing to deliver the Gospel to its enemies under a show of respect. Conduct like this, we need not doubt, is utterly abominable in the sight of God. To injure the cause of religion under any circumstances, is a great sin — but to injure it while we pretend to show kindness — is the blackest of crimes! To betray Christ at any time, is the very height of wickedness — but to betray Him with a kiss, proves a man to have become a very child of Hell.

Cut off his right ear - See the note on Mat 26:51.