Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus` breast.
Verse Takeaways
1
Reclining, Not Sitting
Commentators explain that guests at the Last Supper didn't sit in chairs but reclined on couches, leaning on their left arms. John was positioned to Jesus' right, so his head was naturally near Jesus' chest. Scholars note this posture of rest, especially for Passover, symbolized the security and freedom of God's people, contrasting with the original Passover meal eaten in haste.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
John
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Leaning on Jesus' bosom. This does not mean that he was at that time actually lying on his bosom, but that he occupied a situatio…
Was at the table reclining in Jesus' bosom (ην ανακειμενος εν τω κολπω του Ιησου). No word for "table" in the text. Periphrastic i…
19th Century
Anglican
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom.—Leonardo’s picture is misleading in one respect: like most paintings of the Lord’s…
Your support helps us maintain this resource for everyone
Peter signaled to the disciple who occupied the place next to Jesus and “whom Jesus loved” (presumably John), asking him to inquire who the traitor…
16th Century
Protestant
Whom Jesus loved. The peculiar love with which Christ loved John plainly testifies that, if we love some people…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom Not pressing upon that part of Christ's body, which would have been irreverent…
Get curated content & updates
Our Lord had often spoken of his own sufferings and death without such trouble of spirit as he now showed when he spoke of Judas. The sins of Chris…
13th Century
Catholic
Previously, the Evangelist presented the example Christ gave for his disciples to imitate. Here he shows the failure of the disciples who…
