And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
LUKE 22:51KJVWhat does Luke 22:51 mean?
Luke 22:51 describes Jesus telling those present to allow what is happening, then healing the servant’s ear after it had been cut off. This shows Jesus responding calmly and compassionately, even as he is being arrested.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and the crowd that came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemane. One of his followers had just struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Jesus intervenes, telling them to stop, and then touches the servant’s ear, healing the injury. The verse highlights Jesus’ refusal to respond with violence and his concern for others, even in a moment of personal danger.
The Greek behind Luke 22:51
- The word ἅψατο (hēpsato, “touched”) is used here to describe Jesus’ physical contact with the servant’s ear. In Greek, this word often carries a sense of intentional, caring touch, not just a casual contact.
- The word ἰάσατο (iasato, “healed”) means to restore to health or make whole. The Greek here emphasizes a complete healing, not just a temporary fix, showing the thoroughness of Jesus’ action.
Why Luke 22:51 matters
- Luke 22:51 clarifies that Jesus does not approve of violence, even when his own life is threatened, correcting any idea that he wanted his followers to fight for him.
- The verse emphasizes Jesus’ compassion and power, showing that he heals even an enemy’s servant in the midst of his own arrest.
- This moment connects to Luke’s broader theme of Jesus’ mercy and authority, highlighting that even in crisis, Jesus acts with care and control.