John 18:10

ὠτάριον (אBC1LX) for ὠτίον (Acts 3D from Matthew 26:51?).

10. Σ. οὖν Π. Simon Peter therefore; because he ‘saw what would follow’ (Luke 22:49). The position of οὖν is remarkable, as if Πέτρος had been added as an after-thought, possibly in allusion to the significance of the name. 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. This impetuous boldness of ὁ θερμὸς Πέτρος illustrates his impetuous words John 13:37 and Mark 8:32. The sword was probably one of the two produced in misunderstanding of Christ’s words at the end of the supper (Luke 23:38). To carry arms on a feast-day was forbidden; so that we have here some indication that the Last Supper was not the Passover. No doubt Malchus had been prominent in the attack on Jesus; hence τὸν τ. ἀρχ. δοῦλον, which does not mean that only one servant was there (John 18:26). Or τὸν δ. may mean ‘the servant of whom you have so often heard.’ S. Peter had aimed at his head. S. Luke also mentions that it was the right ear that was out, and he alone mentions the healing, under cover of which S. Peter probably escaped.