by Mary Fran McAdams

Malchus! Who was this little known biblical character whose moment of fame put him in the middle of one of history's most significant events-Jesus' betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was the beneficiary of one of the Lord's last miracles on earth, the healing of his ear cleaved from his head by the sword of the impetuous Peter. On this and nothing more, Malchus' name is recorded for all human posterity. But who was he and what was he like? We know he was the slave of the high priest Caiaphas. As such, he was probably ordered to be there when the Lord was arrested and may have had no animosity toward Jesus. What was his reaction to the healing of his ear? Could he experience the Lord's personal touch and not become a follower of the Way? What happened after? Did he have a life apart from slavery? Did he fall in love? Was he eventually saved?