Μάλχος (Malchos)
Malchos
Malchus
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Malchos is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for "king," meaning king or kingdom. It appears only once in the New Testament, identifying a servant of the high priest present at Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:10).
This brief mention anchors the name in a moment of sudden violence, when Peter cuts off Malchos’s ear. The etymology creates an ironic contrast between the man’s name, which signifies royal authority, and his role as a lowly servant caught in a chaotic scene. Translators retain the proper name without alteration, preserving this historical detail exactly as recorded.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Malchos means "king," yet he appears in Scripture only as a servant caught in the chaos of Jesus’ arrest. This brief mention in John’s Gospel highlights how ordinary people find themselves at the center of sacred history. His identity is preserved not for his own glory, but to show that even those on the opposing side are known by name to God.
When Peter acts in violence, Malchos becomes an innocent victim. The irony of a man named "king" serving a religious leader who rejects the true King is striking. It reminds us that our roles and names do not define our worth in God’s eyes, but rather how we respond to the presence of Christ in difficult moments.
This single verse invites reflection on how God sees every individual, regardless of their position or actions. Malchos was present at a pivotal moment, and his name remains as a testament to the fact that no one is overlooked in God’s narrative. It encourages us to trust that our lives, however small they may seem, are part of a larger story written by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Malchus.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μάλχος.¶1×
Key Verses
-
John 18:10
Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
This verse identifies Malchos as the high priest’s servant whose ear was cut off, anchoring his name in the moment of Jesus’ arrest.