Lying back on Jesus’ chest was one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Parallel translations
- WEB One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.
- KJV Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
- BSB One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side.
- NKJV Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
- NLT The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The disciple whom Jesus loved was reclining next to Him at the table. It introduces the beloved disciple, traditionally John, in a place of close intimacy with Jesus.
Overview
This beloved disciple, widely understood to be John the apostle and author of this Gospel, reclines beside Jesus in the customary dining posture. His closeness to Christ marks him as a trusted eyewitness. The detail also pictures the intimate fellowship that belongs to those whom Jesus loves.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- John 19:26Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
- John 20:2Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
- John 21:7That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around him (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.
- John 21:20Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”
- Rev 1:16–18He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
- 2 Sam 12:3but the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up together with him, and with his children. It ate of his own food, drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was like a daughter to him.
- John 13:25He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
- John 21:24This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
- John 11:36The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!”
- John 11:5Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
- John 11:3The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.”
- John 1:18No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 13:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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