With the story of Jesus being arrested after the last supper, the four gospels differ quite a bit. 

Matthew 26:47-57 and Mark 14:43-53 simply have Judas arriving with a crowd having swords and clubs, Judas kissing Jesus, Jesus being arrested and a bystander drawing his sword and cutting off a servant’s ear. Then they lead Jesus away. 

Luke 22:47-54 shows almost what Matthew and Mark do, yet his is the only gospel having Jesus touching the servant’s ear and healing him.

John 18:3-11 is much different from the other 3. While it shows some additional, very interesting detail, it doesn't show some things the other 3 do. 

John’s gospel doesn’t show Judas kissing Jesus or even the two talking with each other. Here Jesus asks the group a question they answer such that Jesus says “I AM”; with that the group actually turns away and falls to the ground. They then repeat their dialogue.

Regarding the sword, John has specifically the right ear of a Malchus being cut off, with Simon Peter being the one who did it. Having Peter put his sword away Jesus says “the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

John 18:3-11 (KJV)

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> Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath
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Q: For this story why might the gospels differ so much and in such odd ways?