Why did Simon Peter react so violently?

In John 18, when Jesus is in the Garden on Gethsemane, Judas approaches with a mob of Pharisees and soldiers, coming to arrest Him. > 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” > > 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” > > 7 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” But suddenly, Simon Peter pulls out his sword and slices off a servant's ear. > 10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) ### The Question It seems a bit impulsive of Peter to cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Is this the case? If so, why would/did Peter react so violently when he was seemingly unprovoked? Could it be, instead, that the Bible, or rather the translation thereof, simply doesn't record what was exchanged verbally between the two parties? Why didn't any of the other disciples react in this way? **Are there any other passages of scripture that explain this behavior?**