Paragraph 18:10–11

Peter used his sword to try to prevent the guards from arresting Jesus. But Jesus told him not to resist his arrest.

18:10a

Then: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then indicates a development in the story. Here it also indicates a return to the main story after the parenthetical information in 18:9. In some languages it may be natural to leave it untranslated, as some English translations have done.

Simon Peter drew his sword: This clause indicates that Simon Peter pulled his sword out of its case or holder. That action indicated that he was ready to defend Jesus. The clause includes a comment that Peter had a sword with him. In some languages it may be natural to translate these two ideas as two sentences. For example:

Simon Peter had brought along a sword. He now pulled it out. (Contemporary English Version)

Simon Peter: Simon Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples. He had told Jesus that he was willing to die with him. See the note at 1:40a–b and how you spelled his name there and in 13:36.

drew: This verb here means “pull out of its case.” The case or covering for a sword is usually called a “sheath.” In some languages it may be natural to mention this case. For example:

pulled it from ⌊its sheath⌋

his sword: This clause gives additional information about Simon Peter. He was carrying or wearing a sword. It was in a sheath (sword case) that was probably attached to a belt that was tied around his waist. Translate this clause in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

He had brought a sword with him.
-or-
He was armed with a sword.

sword: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sword refers to a knife used for fighting. Some languages may have several words for knives used in fighting. Use the term for a weapon that a person would likely carry around and use. For example:

machete
-or-
long knife

18:10b

struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear: Peter swung the sword at one of those arresting Jesus but only cut off his right ear. The two verbs struck and cutting off refer to a single action. So in some languages it may be natural to translate this with only one independent verb, like “slash” (cut with a large motion). For example:

and slashed at the High Priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

servant: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servant is also translated as “slave” in some English versions. It indicates that this man worked for the high priest without getting wages. However this is not the most important point. The important point is that this man was in the service of the high priest.

In some language it is more natural to use a verb to express the idea. For example:

cut off the ear of a man who worked for the high priest

18:10c

The servant’s name was Malchus: This is additional information that is not part of the main story. Translate this additional information in the way that is most natural in your language. Some English translations place it in parentheses. For example:

(The servant’s name was Malchus.) (New International Version)

General Comment on 18:10b–c

In some languages it is more natural to combine 18:10b and 18:10c. For example:

10b–c and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave (New Living Translation (2004))

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