Topical Bible: Servants: Bad: Servants of the High Priest

◄ Servants: Bad: Servants of the High Priest ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the New Testament, the servants of the high priest play a notable role in the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. These individuals, often seen as enforcers of the religious authorities' will, are depicted in various passages as participating in actions that oppose Jesus and His mission.

One of the most significant mentions of the high priest's servants occurs during the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Gospel of John, it is recorded that Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, led a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to the garden. Among them were the servants of the high priest. John 18:3 states, "So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden with lanterns, torches, and weapons."

During this encounter, Simon Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, reacts by drawing his sword and striking the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. John 18:10 records, "Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus." This act of violence is met with a rebuke from Jesus, who commands Peter to put away his sword and subsequently heals Malchus' ear, demonstrating His commitment to peace and His divine authority.

The servants of the high priest are also involved in the events following Jesus' arrest. They participate in the mockery and abuse of Jesus as He is brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. In Mark 14:65 , it is written, "Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to strike Him with their fists. 'Prophesy!' they said. And the officers received Him with slaps in His face." These actions highlight the hostility and contempt that the servants, along with other officials, held towards Jesus.

Furthermore, the servants of the high priest are present during Peter's denial of Jesus. As Peter follows Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest, he is recognized by one of the high priest's servants. John 18:26 notes, "One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, 'Did I not see you with Him in the garden?'" This recognition leads to Peter's third denial of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

The role of the high priest's servants in these narratives underscores their involvement in the opposition to Jesus and His followers. Their actions, as recorded in the Gospels, reflect the broader rejection of Jesus by the religious authorities of the time, who viewed Him as a threat to their power and influence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 14:65
And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say to him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Peter's Denial and Repentance.
... with the crowd of soldiers and servants one at ... bound with his Master before the high
priest, and had ... is true I am the wretched, pitiful, bad-hearted creature ...
/.../xviii peters denial and repentance.htm

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
... And Peter followed Him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he ...
He was in bad company among the inferior sort of servants huddled around ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the captive christ and the.htm

Before Caiaphas
... cannot be said to have made a bad choice in ... But for the moment the high-priest was
only relieved; and ... was abandoned to the brutality of their servants, one of ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 53-65 before caiaphas.htm

Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus.
... were perpetrated on Him by the guards and servants of Caiaphas ... me, that in the Palace
of the High-Priest a female ... Thus the Story of Susanna' is bad in Jewish Law ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii thursday night -.htm

How Xerxes the Son of Darius was Well Disposed to the Jews; as ...
... and porters, and sacred singers, and sacred servants to Esdras. ... and his son Eliasib
succeeded in the high priesthood.6 ... replied that they were in a bad state [12 ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how xerxes the.htm

Hebrews ii. 16-17
... that [which is derived] from the Son and the servants. ... account of His having been
"sent," and "high priest of our ... is not possible either that a bad man should ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily v hebrews ii 16-17.htm

The First Kings.
... tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. ... in the world's history with a
bad preeminence, like ... The expression "a sepulchre on high," is an allusion to ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Whether Parish Priests and Archdeacons are More Perfect than ...
... sometimes even a good monk makes a bad clerk." And ... little before this he says that
"God's servants," ie monks ... of a bishop, who is called a high-priest; and this ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether parish priests and archdeacons.htm

The Earthquake
... Kallias, and Eutyches, and my old servants, perhaps"who ... by the hatred of the bad
and the ... Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who plotted against God's High Priest.'. ...
/.../chapter xlvi the earthquake.htm

Anxieties and Troubles, Friends and Foes
... But Philip managed the servants, arranged all domestic matters ... Moreover, the High
Priest only wore his robes for ... of fury against Chrysostom in the bad heart of ...
/.../chapter xxi anxieties and troubles.htm