A lot of respected scholars are only, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/2014/09/an-interpolation-in-1-thessalonians.html#comment-1598470837, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/exploringourmatrix/2014/09/defining-pseudoscholarship.html#comment-1609316537, https://vridar.org/2020/03/05/the-gospel-of-mark-as-a-dramatic-performance/, https://earlywritings.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=145080#p145080. Malchus reaches up to feel his head. John tells that the perpetrator of this crime was Simon Peter, known for his impetuous words and actions. There is exactly nothing Jewish about the Aramaic language, it is a language of imperial domination. "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults ye shall take it patiently? to protest. The Greek word for "ear" is otarion, and it refers to the entire outer ear. Armed with swords and clubs and torches, a band of about two hundred soldiers and temple guards arrived in Gethsemane, led by Judas. Shall we strike with the sword? Luke 22:51b, NKJV - "And He touched his ear and healed him." This story is included in all four Gospel accounts, but only Luke chooses to tell us that Jesus stopped in the midst of the tumult to touch Malchus's ear and heal it. I have requested it through interlibrary loan. I know of no other site which offers a wide range of topics related to careful critical analysis of historically and scripturally related issues. Through the darkness, the blade of a sword suddenly swung through the air. I think it expands, and contributes to, the effort in honouring Thomas that we with Lukasz originally had in mind with this volume. Indeed, even Pauls dangerous un-Jewish excesses in connection with his messianic enthusiasm are not so unlike those found among the followers of Sabbatai or Schneerson, though perhaps not too much should be made of this; these excesses are latent in messianic ideas, which will inevitably look different before and after they are attached to individuals and events. If the arresting party was hoping toreason with Jesus and get him to avoid causing a stir during the feast that might draw in Roman troops, or if they were hoping at worst to lock him away until after Passover, they may well have been trying to avoid an eruption of violence, even when provoked. to protect him from Jewish leaders. And the name of the servant was Malchus (John 18:10). Free Neil made a good synthesis of the work without being an expert of the field. Moreover, for all we know,they may have subdued, or even killed, the person who sliced off the ear (assuming it wasnt Peter), after whichJesus prevented his followers from doing anything further. existing later. It was fun while it lasted. servant Malchus. be pinned down to strains of Gentile ideology. Luke 22:50-51: And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. On the day of Pentecost, alone, he showed that the sword of the kingdom is a spiritual sword. The servant's name was Malchus. I could go on and on about how the Gospels seem un-historical to me, but you ", "I always enjoy reading Neils blog because I think that he is careful, thorough, intellectually fair, and honest. He had the power to escape but the purpose to stay. wound. me to accept as a definitive correction; I think ", "Neil Godfrey and Tim Widowfield, who both write at Vridar . 5:2). Nay, this very John. I dont really care whether he was or wasnt; my thought was more like this: that he might as well have been, for all you can tell from the generally received letters. together, and had written what they wrote by some human compact; Instead of focusing on the Jewishness of early Christianity, it Perhaps some of the conversations here will lead to formal research and publications. is founded on biased, weak analysis of comparative religion. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his p sword and struck the servant 1 of the high priest and cut off his ear. So different Peter couldnt be left to himself for one moment. Matthew 26:51-54. Someone who is a Christian has acted toward you in a way that caused you harm. Data speaks, and gives us observations. I expect McGrath will be looking for an excuse to ban me, too, now. Was not Luke a physician? Just before his action, he had asked Christ, Lord, shall we strike with the sword? However, he did not wait for an answer (Luke 22:49-50). What you make of those passages will depend on your view of Acts. (51) But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this.". a) Matthew and James. Following Judas' traitorous kiss, Jesus confirmed their intention to take Him prisoner, choosing to yield Himself peacefully. It is not our world. Musings on biblical studies, politics, religion, ethics, human nature, tidbits from science. Secondly, he would swing his sword horizontally (side to side). We know Caiaphass track record, and from it we can deduce what a sad life Malchus must have lived in the shadow of this corrupt and vain high priest. According to John, one of the disciples, the Apostle Peter, being armed with a sword, cut off the servant's ear in an attempt to prevent his Master's arrest. Should we believe such an event to be historical? By reality I mean the nature of the texts. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (I assume that Acts is right about Tarsus, but I guess just because it seems unnecessarily skeptical to deny it.). Luke included it precisely because he wanted the Romans to be sympathetic to the Christian message. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. him and arranges for a discreet meeting with Caiaphas. It must have happened quickly. Is not doing the will of God ever justified? Indeed, this scene is so mysterious that professors fervently desire more minds would deeply reflect upon it and share their discoveries inserious peer-reviewed research publications. 4-7). So Jesus Jesus compares the action of the disciple with that of a lestes the name given to insurgents against Rome and the role assigned to Barabbas. a historical figure in their cultural habitat in terms of societal relationships. The reason is theological, not historical. So, please continue to delve deeply and share this intellectual sustenance with your grateful readers. I don't know if you would consider John Chrysostom a scholar (he was a Church Father), but this is what he said about disagreements and inconsistencies in the Gospels in general: What then? People are no better today. I had the idea that McGrath was interested in why Mark included the story, rather than John. filled with a gentleness and love that melt all enmity. The Parthians were enemies of Rome. (, It has long seemed to me that this incident might have had a significant impact on the way things unfolded for Jesus. Thus what is being said here is that half of the story has remained untold, even as Jesus touching the severed ear (which ostensibly was lying on the floor somewhere) and healing the man comes off as ludicrous when taken literally. He must get he asks. way which creates a boundary; to me, that is a sign of allegorical framing by a Pride is also evident in his action. How to match a specific column position till the end of line? In the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Bible, Malchus is the servant of the Jewish High Priest, Caiaphas, who participated in the arrest of Jesus. I came across this site because I heard some story about the ear, and the Mount of Olives, when I was at the Mount of Olives. he was not a pious Jew like the standards we know in the vengeful, so petty, so filled with hatred. Of course, Ive read something along these lines before. (Matt 26:51; Mark 14:43f; John 18:10). I have posted here criticisms of religion, in particular of fundamentalism, as well as encouragements for those who have been through the negative experiences to embrace the benefits of their religious experiences, too. Jesus has commanded them to refrain from violence as a demonstration that his kingdom is not of this world. ", "Here I give an admittedly subjective short list, in random order, of useful, high level and regularly updated weblogs on the study of the Old Testament . "We're so glad you're here, Malchus," they say. Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? A soldier jerks Jesus to his feet and the spell of the moment Hi and welcome to our site. Foolishly thinking they were superior-minded to Christ and His disciples, these mens actions will forever be a shameful tribute to unbelief (Romans 1:18-22). find better evidence that he absorbed the religious climate of his Luke Chapter 22. Malchus is an example of a common enemy of Jesus in the Bible. Later, when he hears the news of Jesus' resurrection, he accepts Him as the Messiah as does his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter, Tabitha, even though in doing so she must give up . (If you're a human, don't change the following field). was sufficient; but if there be four that write, not at the same Some chose to continue serving and by doing so, their right ear was pierced to signify this man was the property of Mr X. If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me.". One disciple (John says Peter) pulls a sword and cuts off the ear of one of the guards. What did Peter learn according to 1 Peter 2:19-24? According to the Bible, one of the disciples, Simon Peter, being armed with a sword, cut off the servant's ear in an attempt to prevent the arrest of Jesus. Please be sure to take the. existed in the period from the execution of the last All of this is symbolized very well in the story by Luke, who is an excellent writer. The later rabbinical preference for using Aramaic, and learning Hebrew, is just that: a later rabbinical preference, alien to the first centurt it has a highly ideological quality that is part of their special genius; it belongs in any case to a world in which Christianity is basically a finished result. Perhaps none or very few of the rest of them were armed. Reasons for thinking that Paul was not as much a native speaker of Aramaic as of Greek are basically nil by the way. Direct reference to the one main guard over the High Priest. Then, if the stories don't align, I will pursue asking a third-party, an eyewitness who can substantiate the claims (much like the contemporaries of Luke who were eyewitnesses to all Jesus said and did). Right. causing an affray While Jesus is doing his ear-healing trick, the rest of the police beat the crap out of the disciples. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? For example, Often times, when I do marriage counseling, one person will tell a story one way, and another will add more details. Inthe land of Laputa modern-day inhabitants contemplate the deep mysteries hidden in the incident of Peter cutting off the right ear of the servant of the high priest and what such a very strange event could possibly meanfor the reconstruction of the life of the historical Jesus and the origins of Christianity. To show that Jesus was a lover of his enemies, and not just another bandit who planned to overthrow Rome and failed. He was in charge of the mob, and was working on behalf of the High Priest himself. But Jesus answered, 'No more of this!' And he touched the man's ear and healed him" (Lk. . Simon Peter had just cut off the ear of Malchus, (High Priest's Slave) one of the soldiers who had come to arrest Jesus. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. What arrogance! To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The Kingdom of God is not established by the sword. In Ch10 of Mark, Jesus again heals a blind man on the way to Jerusalem right before the climax (passion week) of part 2 of his gospel. The rest of the disciples (including the sword swinger) got away from 500 soldiers. The first rule of such a game is to ignore the literary context of any passage and speculate as wildly as one can on as wide a range of possibilities as one can imagine that might have happened quite independently of anything we read. The well of religion. Was not one evangelist sufficient to tell all? Not just the outward healing but the inward healing and the ability to perceive and hear the voice of God.

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