Some critics have questioned the historicity of Peter's attack on Malchus, the servant of the high priest, asking why Peter was not arrested alongside Jesus if the event truly occurred.

It is possible that Peter was lost in the crowd and fled into the darkness before being recognized. However, there is a compelling solution to this problem found in Luke's account: 'And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.'

If one were to bring a charge against Peter on this count, proof would be required. Since the man's ear was miraculously restored, the physical evidence of the crime was removed. Without evidence, a formal charge would have been difficult to sustain.