For First Day, 2/27/2005, I had begun a section on the
ministries of Jesus entitled “The Healings, Cleansings,
Exorcisms, and Raisings from the Dead,” to which I now return.
Next week I intend to venture into the apocryphal Book of Tobit,
in which the Archangel Raphael, “God heals,” makes his only
appearance in Scripture, check the rest of the Bible for
anything I might have left out related to healing, and so finish
this series. It would make me very happy to learn that someday,
if the Spirit of Truth should move someone to write a book about
spiritual healing and healing prayer, this gathering of passages
I’m now doing will be available to ease the author’s task of
research.
While I worked on this gathering, I received in the mail,
unsolicited but, I think, providentially, a copy of Dr. Ahmed H.
Sakr’s The Book of Healing, which seeks to gather together all
the material on healing in the Qur’an and the Hadith, the chief
sacred sources within Islam. I’ve also just learned that my
dentist is a Talmudic scholar, which opens the possibility of my
expanding my knowledge of Jewish traditions about healing, if
God so wills. But in this blog I don’t expect to go outside the
sphere of Christian scripture.
In some sense the entire Bible is about healing: about God’s
creating a world that was “very good,” and a man and a woman
that were innocent and “in His image;” and then corruption came
in. Eventually, Christian doctrine teaches, one sinless Man died
a painful and humiliating death to heal this corruption, or, in
Paul’s words, to reconcile all things in heaven and earth back
to God (Colossians 1:20). As a mark of this reconciliation, John
tells us, God will “wipe away all tears from our eyes”
(Revelation 7:17, 21:4). To me this state of corruption is not
an abstraction or a theological notion, but a very present and
painful reality. Two American soldiers are now threatened with
courts-martial for allegedly having tortured two prisoners that
died in custody in Afghanistan, one of whom, Mullah Habibullah,
called on the name of God over and over again as the blows came
down on him. I hear Jesus’ voice saying to Pfc. Brand and Sgt.
Boland, “Insofar as you did it to the least of these my
brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40,45). But insofar as
we United States citizens condemn soldiers that torture and
murder in our name, we also condemn Christ, who must now suffer
under our vengeful hands in the persons of Pfc. Brand and Sgt.
Boland and anyone else we can punish as an evildoer. Cruelty is
everywhere, cruelty is in the hearts of every one of us, and we
are none of us innocent of the crucifixion of the One that died
for us. No matter that we were tricked into these wars by great
liars, and then lied to about what went on in them: have we not
been liars, each of us?
I’m writing this on the day called Good Friday by most of the
Christian world. Having the day off from work, I slept late this
morning, and the news from the radio wove its way into my
dreams. I dreamed that separate prayer vigils were being held
for Terri Schiavo by those who wanted her kept on her
life-support system and those who wanted her taken off it. I
proposed that one member of each vigil switch places with one
from the other, as a token of the soon-to-die Jesus’ last-minute
commandment to us to love one another (John 15:12, 17), and I
volunteered to be one of the place-switchers myself, to hold my
opponents in prayer as faithfully as if I agreed with them. I
woke feeling that I’d been blessed with a vivid reminder of what
it’s all about. – jje
Matthew 12:22-32 [Jesus heals a blind and dumb demoniac (but no
mention of blindness in Mark or Luke), and preaches, “How can
Satan cast out Satan?” – cf. Mark 3:22-27, Luke 11:14-23; this
story is partly duplicated in Matthew 9:32-34. Jesus ends by
making a point, “He that is not with me is against me,” that
seems to contradict the one He makes in Mark 9:38-41, quoted
below; but there He speaks of people that are “not with Him” in
a different sense.]
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and
dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both
spake and saw. [23] And all the people were amazed, and said, Is
not this the son of David? [24] But when the Pharisees heard it,
they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by
Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
[25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every
kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and
every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: [26]
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how
shall then his kingdom stand? [27] And if I by Beelzebub cast
out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore
they shall be your judges. [28] But if I cast out devils by the
Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. [29] Or
else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his
goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will
spoil his house.
[30] He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth
not with me scattereth abroad. [31] Wherefore I say unto you,
All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but
the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto
men. [32] And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man,
it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the
Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
neither in the world to come.
Matthew 12:43-45 [The return of the evil spirit, a simple lesson
in demonology in Luke 11:24-26, but made into a parable in
Matthew by Jesus’ addition, at the end, of “So shall it be also
with this evil generation.”Jesus is continuing the speech begun
in the last selection:]
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through
dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith,
I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he
is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then
goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more
wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the
last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it
be also unto this wicked generation.
John 5:2-30 [The healing at the Pool of Bethesda]
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is
called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. [3]
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt,
withered, waiting for the moving of the water. [4] For an angel
went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the
water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water
stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. [5] And
a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight
years.
[6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long
time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
[7] The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the
water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am
coming, another steppeth down before me.
[8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
[9] And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed,
and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
[10] The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the
sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
[11] He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto
me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
[12] Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee,
Take up thy bed, and walk?
[13] And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had
conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. [14]
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him,
Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing
come unto thee.
[15] The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus,
which had made him whole.
[16] And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to
slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
[17] But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I
work.
[18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he
not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his
Father, making himself equal with God.
[19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he
seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also
doeth the Son likewise. [20] For the Father loveth the Son, and
sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him
greater works than these, that ye may marvel. [21] For as the
Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son
quickeneth whom he will. [22] For the Father judgeth no man, but
hath committed all judgment unto the Son: [23] That all men
should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that
honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent
him.
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto
life.
[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now
is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and
they that hear shall live. [26] For as the Father hath life in
himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
[27] And hath given him authority to execute judgment also,
because he is the Son of man.
[28] Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which
all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, [29] And shall
come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation.
[30] I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and
my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the
will of the Father which hath sent me.
Mark 6:53-56 [Healings at Gennesaret; cf. Matthew 14:34-36]
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of
Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. [54] And when they were come
out of the ship, straightway they knew him, [55] And ran through
that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds
those that were sick, where they heard he was. [56] And
whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country,
they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they
might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as
many as touched him were made whole.
Matthew 15:21-28 [The Canaanite or Syrophoenician woman. Mark’s
version (Mark 7:24-30) adds the detail that the woman “went
home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone.”]
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and
Sidon. [22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same
coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord,
thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a
devil.
[23] But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and
besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
[24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost
sheep of the house of Israel.
[25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
[26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
[27] And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs
which fall from their masters' table.
[28] Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is
thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter
was made whole from that very hour.
Mark 7:31-37 [Jesus heals a deaf mute with the command
“Ephphatha;” in Matthew’s version (Matthew 15:29-31) “great
crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the
blind, the dumb, and many others,… and he healed them…”]
And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came
unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of
Decapolis. [32] And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and
had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his
hand upon him.
[33] And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his
fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; [34]
And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him,
Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
[35] And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his
tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. [36] And he charged them
that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so
much the more a great deal they published it; [37] And were
beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well:
he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
Mark 8:22-26 [The blind man at Bethsaida; Jesus uses his spittle
as well as laying on of hands]
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him,
and besought him to touch him.
[23] And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of
the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands
upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
[24] And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
[25] After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made
him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
[26] And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into
the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Mark 9:38-41 [The strange exorcist; cf. Luke 9:49-50. The gift
of a cup of water is paralleled in Matthew 10:42]
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out
devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him,
because he followeth not us.
[39] But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which
shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of
me. [40] For he that is not against us is on our part. [41] For
whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name,
because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not
lose his reward.
Luke 13:10-17 [The bent woman healed on the Sabbath]
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
[11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of
infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in
no wise lift up herself. [12] And when Jesus saw her, he called
her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine
infirmity.
[13] And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God.
[14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation,
because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto
the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in
them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
[15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth
not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from
the stall, and lead him away to watering? [16] And ought not
this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound,
lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the
sabbath day?
[17] And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were
ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things
that were done by him.
Luke 14:1-6 [The man healed of dropsy on the Sabbath]
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the
chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they
watched him. [2] And, behold, there was a certain man before him
which had the dropsy.
[3] And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees,
saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
[4] And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him,
and let him go; [5] And answered them, saying, Which of you
shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not
straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
[6] And they could not answer him again to these things.
Matthew 17:14-21 [The disciples’ abilities as exorcists limited
by their apistía, “unbelief” or “want of faith.” In Luke 17:5-6,
Jesus speaks of the power of “faith as a grain of mustard seed”
in response to their plea, “Increase our faith!” rather than to
their query, “Why could we not cast it out?” In Mark 9:28-29,
Jesus answers this query, “This kind cannot be driven out by
anything but prayer.” Some ancient manuscripts of Mark read “…by
anything but prayer and fasting.”]
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a
certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, [15] Lord, have
mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for
ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. [16]
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure
him.
[17] Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse
generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I
suffer you? bring him hither to me. [18] And Jesus rebuked the
devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from
that very hour.
[19] Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could
not we cast him out?
[20] And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for
verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard
seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder
place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto
you. [21] Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and
fasting.
Luke 17:11-19 [The cleansing of the ten lepers]
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed
through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. [12] And as he entered
into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers,
which stood afar off: [13] And they lifted up their voices, and
said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
[14] And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves
unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they
were cleansed.
[15] And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned
back, and with a loud voice glorified God, [16] And fell down on
his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a
Samaritan.
[17] And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but
where are the nine? [18] There are not found that returned to
give glory to God, save this stranger. [19] And he said unto
him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
John 9:1-41 [Jesus heals the man born blind]
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his
birth.
[2] And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin,
this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
[3] Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his
parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in
him.
[4] I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:
the night cometh, when no man can work.
[5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
[6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made
clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man
with the clay,
[7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is
by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed,
and came seeing.
[8] The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him
that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
[9] Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he
said, I am he.
[10] Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
[11] He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay,
and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of
Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
[12] Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
[13] They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was
blind.
[14] And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and
opened his eyes.
[15] Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received
his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I
washed, and do see.
[16] Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of
God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How
can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a
division among them.
[17] They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him,
that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
[18] But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had
been blind, and received his sight, until they called the
parents of him that had received his sight.
[19] And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say
was born blind? how then doth he now see?
[20] His parents answered them and said, We know that this is
our son, and that he was born blind:
[21] But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath
opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall
speak for himself.
[22] These words spake his parents, because they feared the
Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did
confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the
synagogue.
[23] Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
[24] Then again called they the man that was blind, and said
unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a
sinner.
[25] He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know
not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
[26] Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how
opened he thine eyes?
[27] He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not
hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his
disciples?
[28] Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but
we are Moses' disciples.
[29] We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we
know not from whence he is.
[30] The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a
marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he
hath opened mine eyes.
[31] Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be
a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
[32] Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened
the eyes of one that was born blind.
[33] If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
[34] They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born
in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
[35] Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had
found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of
God?
[36] He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe
on him?
[37] And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is
he that talketh with thee.
[38] And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
[39] And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world,
that they which see not might see; and that they which see might
be made blind.
[40] And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these
words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
[41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no
sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
John 11:1-44 [The raising of Lazarus]
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town
of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] (It was that Mary which
anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her
hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) [3] Therefore his sisters
sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is
sick.
[4] When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto
death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be
glorified thereby.
[5] Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. [6]
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days
still in the same place where he was. [7] Then after that saith
he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
[8] His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought
to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
[9] Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If
any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the
light of this world. [10] But if a man walk in the night, he
stumbleth, because there is no light in him. [11] These things
said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus
sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
[12] Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do
well.
[13] Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he
had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. [14] Then said Jesus unto
them plainly, Lazarus is dead. [15] And I am glad for your sakes
that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless
let us go unto him.
[16] Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his
fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
[17] Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the
grave four days already. [18] Now Bethany was nigh unto
Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: [19] And many of the Jews
came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their
brother. [20] Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was
coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
[21] Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here,
my brother had not died. [22] But I know, that even now,
whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
[23] Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
[24] Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in
the resurrection at the last day.
[25] Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
[26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this?
[27] She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the
Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
[28] And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary
her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for
thee. [29] As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and
came unto him.
[30] Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that
place where Martha met him. [31] The Jews then which were with
her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that
she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She
goeth unto the grave to weep there.
[32] Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she
fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been
here, my brother had not died.
[33] When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also
weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was
troubled, [34] And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto
him, Lord, come and see.
[35] Jesus wept.
[36] Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! [37] And some
of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the
blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
[38] Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the
grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. [39] Jesus said,
Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead,
saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been
dead four days.
[40] Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou
wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
[41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead
was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I
thank thee that thou hast heard me. [42] And I knew that thou
hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I
said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
[43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,
Lazarus, come forth.
[44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with
graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus
saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Luke 22:47-53 [Jesus, arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane,
restores the cut-off ear of the high priest’s servant. The
incident is told in all four gospels (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark
14:43-52; John 18:2-12), but only in Luke does Jesus heal the
wounded man. Only in John is the swordsman identified as Peter,
and only in John and Matthew is he told explicitly to put his
sword back into its sheath. John has Jesus add, “shall I not
drink the cup which the Father has given me?” while Matthew has
Him add, “for all they that take the sword shall perish with the
sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he
shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But
how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must
be?”]
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was
called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near
unto Jesus to kiss him.
[48] But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of
man with a kiss?
[49] When they which were about him saw what would follow, they
said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
[50] And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and
cut off his right ear.
[51] And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he
touched his ear, and healed him.
[52] Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the
temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out,
as against a thief, with swords and staves? [53] When I was
daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands
against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
John 19:28-30 [Jesus finishes His ministry:]
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished,
that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
[29] Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled
a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his
mouth. [30] When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he
said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the
ghost.