(Verse 10) - John is the only Gospel that gives the name of the disciple who wielded the sword. This is likely because when the other disciples wrote Matthew, Mark, and Luke Peter (and likely Malchus as well) were still alive and Peter would have been endangered had his name been revealed. This is an argument for a later date for the writing of John. John would not have revealed Peter's name had Peter still been alive.

It was not the normal thing for the disciples (or any normal citizen) to carry a sword. On this occasion they had taken along two swords (Luke 22:38). Jesus knew they were taking the two swords along. His comment in Luke is that they will be enough.

In seasons of danger or when traveling outside of the city they would have need of some protection from robbers, etc. In cities, particularly in Jerusalem, the very guard that was coming to arrest Him coos a part of the force that would have been responsible to keep them safe. The sense that danger was afoot was reason for the disciples to have any swords with them at all.

It is typical both that Peter took action with the second, and that whatever disciple had the other sword took none. Peter, ever the active, sincere and impulsive one, would be quick to take action. He had just boasted that he would die for the Lord and been rebuked and told that he would, in fact, deny the Lord not once, but three times. That had to sting him barely and I am sure he would have been anxious to prove himself. The other disciples were more timid and tended to remain in the background. This is precisely what they, in fact, do. They are all conspicuously absent, with the exception of John, from the entire crucifixion narrative.  

This is a demonstration of how purposeful and deliberate Christ was in His march to the cross. He allows the disciples to bring along swords then demonstrates His complete lack of need for them. He knocks down those who come to arrest Him with a mere word and then willingly gives Himself to them. Could there be a greater demonstration of how willingly Christ went to the cross than this? At every turn from here until His death we are confronted with the great truth that Christ willingly went to the cross. Truly, no man took His life from Him, but He laid it down for the sheep.

How do those facts apply to my life?:

Once again we must stand amazed at the degree of love for His people God demonstrates here. One can only shake one 's head in stark amazement at how zealously Christ pursued the will of God.