{One of them that were with Jesus} (heis t(936e) meta I(8873)ou).
Like the other Synoptics Matthew conceals the name of Peter,
probably for prudential reasons as he was still living before
A.D. 68. John writing at the end of the century mentions Peter's
name ( Joh 18:10 ). The sword or knife was one of the two that
the disciples had ( Lu 22:38 ). Bruce suggests that it was a
large knife used in connexion with the paschal feast. Evidently
Peter aimed to cut off the man's head, not his ear ((9374)ion is
diminutive in form, but not in sense, as often in the _Koin(825f)).
He may have been the leader of the band. His name, Malchus, is
also given by John ( Joh 18:10 ) because Peter was then dead and
in no danger.