The Sword Rebellion (John 18:10)

The Sword Rebellion (John 18:10)

All the disciples had bravely professed their loyalty to Christ (Matt. 26:35), and Peter thought he should show it, so he quickly drew a little sword and began to fight! He certainly misunderstood what Jesus had said about swords earlier that evening (Luke 22:35–38). He had warned them that from now on the situation would change, and men would treat them as transgressors. He was not suggesting that they take up material swords to fight spiritual battles but that they adopt a new mind-set and be prepared for opposition and even danger. He had cared for and protected them while on earth, but now He was returning to the Father. They would have to rely on the Holy Spirit and use wisdom. Apparently Peter took His words literally and thought he was to declare war.

Peter’s sword is a sign of resistance to the will of God. Peter should have known that Jesus would be arrested and that He would willingly surrender to His enemies (Matt. 16:21ff.; 17:22-23; 20:17-19). Peter did all the wrong things! He fought the wrong enemy, with the wrong weapon, for the wrong motive and the wrong result! He was actively opposing the will of God and hindering the work Jesus had come to do! We like his courage and sincerity, but it certainly was a case of zeal without knowledge.

Why did Peter perform so poorly? In the first place, he had argued with the Lord when Jesus told him that he would disown his Master that very night. Peter had slept when he should have prayed and talked when he should have listened. He mimicked the very enemies who came to arrest Jesus. For they too were armed with swords. Peter would learn that the sword of the Spirit is the weapon that God’s own servants use when fighting their spiritual battles (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17). He would use that sword at Pentecost and “smite” three thousand souls!

Jesus did not require Peter’s protection. If He had desired to be delivered, He could have summoned legions of angels (Matt. 26:52–54). Luke records that Jesus healed Malchus’s ear (John 22:51), which was certainly an act of grace on His part. It was a favor to Peter, for had He not healed Malchus, Peter could have been arrested and crucified! Peter was acting as one of the Jewish Zealots and not as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

But it was an act of grace, too, toward Malchus. After all, he was but a servant, and why should we care what happens to a servant? He too was an enemy, standing with the men who came to arrest Jesus, and so he should suffer! Could it be that Malchus had actually laid hold of Jesus? We don't know, but if he did, he touched the holy Son of God. But our Lord did not condemn Malchus, although he was a sinner worthy of the wrath of God. Instead, He made him well! It was our Lord’s last public miracle before the crucifixion.

Remember that this miracle shows His grace toward us. Jesus had enough power to stun an armed mob and heal a severed ear; He could have saved Himself from arrest, trial, and death. But He willingly bowed! Jesus did it for us!
​
It is a sad thing when well-meaning but ignorant Christians take up the sword to “defend” the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter wounded Malchus. A believer should never have done that. Peter injured the testimony of Christ and made it appear that His disciples hate their enemies and try to destroy them. (See our Lord’s reply to Pilate in John 18:36.)