The disciples asked Jesus if they should use their swords ( Luke 22:38). Their question was not so much a request for permission as an announcement of the action they intended to take. Jesus had earlier expressed His submission to the Father"s will in prayer ( Luke 22:41-44). The disciples had failed to pray and expressed their opposition to Jesus" will here. Luke did not identify the assailant as Peter ( John 18:10) probably to keep the emphasis on his act rather than his identity. Interestingly Luke identified Judas clearly, but he did not identify Peter. Perhaps this magnifies the seriousness of Judas" sin while playing down Peter"s failure. Doctor Luke and John noted that it was the right ear that Peter severed. Evidently Peter had swung to split the servant"s head open and had missed. The sword (Gr. machaira) was small, curved, and commonly used for self-defense. [source][source][source]
In Matthew and Mark , Peter"s attack follows Jesus" arrest, but in Luke it precedes it. Probably the soldiers took hold of Jesus, then Peter flew into action, then Jesus restored the servant"s ear, and then the soldiers led Jesus away. [source][source][source]
"Peter had been sleeping when he should have been praying, talking when he should have been listening, and boasting when he should have been fearing. Now he was fighting when he should have been surrendering." [1][source]