John 21:20

¶ Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074}, turning about {G1994}, seeth {G991} the disciple {G3101} whom {G3739} Jesus {G2424} loved {G25} following {G190}; which {G3739} also {G2532} leaned {G377} on {G1909} his {G846} breast {G4738} at {G1722} supper {G1173}, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, which {G5101} is he {G2076} that betrayeth {G3860} thee {G4571}?

Kefa turned and saw the talmid Yeshua especially loved following behind, the one who had leaned against him at the supper and had asked, “Who is the one who is betraying you?”

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”

Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned back on his breast at the supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee?

John 21:20 provides a crucial moment of identification and interaction between two prominent disciples, Peter and John, immediately following Jesus' post-resurrection appearance and Peter's restoration.

Context

This verse is part of the concluding chapter of John's Gospel, detailing Jesus' third major post-resurrection appearance to his disciples. The preceding verses (John 21:15-19) describe Jesus' profound conversation with Peter, where Peter is thrice asked to affirm his love for Christ and is commissioned to "feed my sheep." Following this, Jesus prophesies Peter's future martyrdom. It is in this intimate and weighty moment that Peter, perhaps pondering his own destiny, turns and observes "the disciple whom Jesus loved" following them.

Key Themes

  • The Identity of the Beloved Disciple: This verse definitively identifies "the disciple whom Jesus loved" as the one who "leaned on his breast at supper" and asked about the betrayer. This confirms the long-held tradition that this beloved disciple, the author of the Gospel of John, was John himself. This intimate detail reinforces John's unique relationship with Jesus, first highlighted during the Last Supper in John 13:23-25.
  • Intimacy and Closeness with Christ: John's consistent portrayal as the disciple "whom Jesus loved" and his physical proximity to Jesus at the Last Supper underscore a theme of deep, personal intimacy with the Lord. This closeness allowed him a unique perspective and access, reflecting a profound bond.
  • Peter's Human Curiosity: Peter's action of turning to look at John and his subsequent question (in the next verse) reveal a very human curiosity and concern for others, especially after hearing about his own difficult future. It highlights the natural tendency to compare or wonder about the paths of fellow believers.
  • The Dynamic Between Peter and John: The Gospels and the book of Acts frequently show Peter and John together (e.g., Acts 3:1). This verse exemplifies their distinct personalities and roles, yet their shared journey in following Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (Greek: ho mathētēs hon ēgapa ho Iēsous) uses the verb agapaō, denoting a deep, unconditional love. This particular identifier is unique to John's Gospel and serves to emphasize a special, affectionate bond between Jesus and this disciple. The description of him "leaned on his breast" (Greek: anapesōn epi to stēthos autou) refers to the common reclining posture at ancient banquets, where one would lean back on the arm of the person next to them, signifying a position of trust and closeness.

Practical Application

John 21:20 encourages us to value deep, personal intimacy with Jesus, much like John's relationship. It reminds us that our identity and security are found in being loved by Him. Furthermore, Peter's turning to look at John serves as a gentle reminder not to become overly preoccupied with the paths or callings of others, but rather to focus on our own unique walk with Christ, trusting His plan for our individual lives, as Jesus implies in His response to Peter in the following verse.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 21:7

    Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt [his] fisher's coat [unto him], (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

  • John 20:2

    Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

  • John 21:24

    This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

  • John 13:23

    Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

  • John 13:26

    Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.

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