Bible Commentaries
John 18

Verse 6

John 18:6

fell backward to the ground ... afraid of Jesus; they may have remembered the occasion when some men were consumed by fired when they were sent to arrest Eijah, 2 Kings 1:10.

Verse 10

John 18:10

Simon Peter -- All four Evangelists mention this act of violence; S. John alone gives the names. While S. Peter was alive it was only prudent not to mention his name; and probably S. John was the only one who knew (John 18:15) the servant’s name. S. Peter’s impetuous boldness now illustrates his impetuous words John 13:37 and Mark 8:32. - CBSC

He surely aimed for Malchus’ head, ready to start the battle in defense of His Lord, but his was an ignorant love and courage. Christ healed his ear (Luke 22:51). - MSB

Peter was not aiming for his ear, but his head! This shows Peter’s willingness to die on Jesus’ behalf. Peter’s action may have come from a misunderstanding of Jesus’ statement in Luke 22:36-38. Luke 22:51 informs us that Jesus healed the man’s ear with a touch. - Utley

having a sword -- Probably one of the two produced in misunderstanding of Christ’s words at the end of the supper (Luke 22:38). To carry arms on a feast-day was forbidden; 30 that we have here some indication that the Last Supper was not the Passover. - DBSC

a short sword or a long knife that was generally worn with everyday garments. - NLTSB

the high priest’s servant -- No doubt he had been prominent in the attack on Jesus, and S. Peter had aimed at his head. S. Luke also mentions that it was the right ear that was cut, and he alone mentions the healing, under cover of Which S. Peter probably escaped.- CBSC

ear -- The short sword was for stabbing, not slicing, thus Peter probably intended to kill the soldier with a lethal blow to the head, but the servant was able to evade the sword, suffering only the loss of his ear. Luke adds that Jesus immediately healed the ear (Luke 22:51). - ESVSB

Malchus -- The Eckhard J. Schnabel’s Jesus in Jeusalem, The Last Days. A more common name among Nabateans and Arabs. An Aramaic name meaning "king" which may indicate he was a head servant and who led the high priest’s delegations in the arresting group.

The fact the name is retained is sometimes speculated he became well known among the disciples and was so moved by Jesus’ kindness and generosity that he later became a disciple himself.

the slaves’ name was Malchus ..” This shows an eyewitness account. - Utley

The mention of their names makes the story more concrete. John was an eyewitness of Jesus’ sufferings so it is not unusual that He would mention these names. The small sword (Gr. machaira) that Peter used was probably little more than a dagger. His action was foolish, but it illustrates his courage and commitment to Jesus (cf. John 13:37). - Constable

The Pulpit Commentary mentions Thoma’s insight as this being the fulfillment of prophetic outline and a reference to "kings" and chief captains, the Malchuses and chiliarchs, that are ultimately to flee before the Christ. - PC

Verse 12

John 18:12

Jesus is taken away— Matthew 26:57, Mark 14:53 a, Luke 22:54 a, John 18:12-13 a. The four accounts state the fact. The first three are in essential agreement, but John offers some new information. First, there was a Roman detachment, with its commander, there in the garden. The word here (chiliarch) refers to a commander of a thousand men (or of a cohort = about 600); this could only be a Roman officer of high rank, and there would only be one of them in Jerusalem. So how did they get him to come along? Obviously Pilate had been informed and was participating. Second, they took Him to Annas first, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,[7] who was high priest that year. A careful look at the parallel accounts makes clear that all of Peter’s denials took place at Caiaphas’ palace, as also all the recorded questionings, etc., so after showing Jesus to Annas they took Him on to Caiaphas. That interim was probably also used to gather the Council, who would not want to be dragged out of bed until Jesus was actually in hand—it was probably between 3 and 4 a.m. -

[7] The bigger reason was that Annas was the real high priest, according to the Law (the office of high priest was for life). He was the power behind the throne, so to say. Caiaphas was the political high priest (that year), for purposes of dealing with Rome. --Wilbur N. Pickering, ThM PhD

Verse 36

John 18:36

KINGDOM

"At hand"- Matthew 3:2,

To come in first century with "Power"- Mark 9:1,

But "Power" to come with Holy Ghost- Acts 1:8,

This happened on the day of Pentecost- Acts 2:1-4.

The Kingdom was in existence in Paul’s day- Colossians 1:13.

It is the Church- Matthew 16:18-19.