John 13:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”

NIV: Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, 'Lord, who is it?'

NASB: He then simply leaned back on Jesus’ chest and *said to Him, 'Lord, who is it?'

CSB: So he leaned back against Jesus and asked him, "Lord, who is it? "

NLT: So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, who is it?'

KJV: He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

NKJV: Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

"That disciple" is John himself. Jesus has explicitly said that one of the men at this last supper is a traitor (John 13:21). Peter wants to know who, and has motioned to John to ask (John 13:24). The common practice of this era was to lean on one's left side, eating with the right hand. John, apparently, is to Jesus' right side, so he needs to lean backwards in order to more quietly ask.

The context here suggests that John is asking in a quiet, possibly whispered tone. The positions of these men also explain why neither John, nor the others, suspect that Judas is the betrayer. Jesus will respond with a clear sign, answering John's question, immediately followed by using that sign to identify Judas (John 13:26). However, only John seems to have heard this statement, at least at this moment. But he's facing away from Jesus, so he would not have seen the person to whom Jesus gave the food.

John 13:21–30 describes Jesus' awareness that Judas is a false believer. Rather than outing Judas as a traitor, Jesus simply mentions that one of the group will betray Him. That blunt statement confuses the disciples, who look at each other with suspicion. Jesus subtly identifies Judas in a comment made to John. This goes unrecognized until much later. Judas, however, knows exactly what the gesture means. At that moment, he is entirely under the control of Satan, and Jesus tells him to leave. The disciples assume Judas has been sent on a private errand.

Jesus meets with a smaller group, possibly only the twelve disciples, in a private setting. Before eating a meal, Jesus performs the work of a lowly servant, washing the feet of the disciples. He explains that this is an object lesson. Their Lord is willing to serve in humility, so they are obligated to do the same. Jesus also predicts His impending betrayal, subtly telling Judas to leave and complete His conspiracy. The disciples don't realize what's happened, however. Peter foolishly brags about his loyalty. Jesus responds with a cutting prediction: Peter will deny his relationship to Christ three times in the next few hours.

The first twelve chapters of the gospel of John describe the public ministry of Jesus. Starting in chapter 13, most of what John describes are the last private moments Jesus enjoys prior to His crucifixion. This begins with Jesus washing the disciples' feet, establishing both an example and a command for humble service. Jesus also predicts His impending betrayal and Peter's cowardly denials. Following chapters contain Jesus' last instructions to the disciples, including a rich collection of truths which are central to the Christian faith.

The gospel of John was written by the disciple John, decades later than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The author assumes that a reader is already familiar with the content of these other works. So, John presents a different perspective, with a greater emphasis on meaning. John uses seven miracles—which he calls “signs”—in order to prove that Jesus is, in fact, God incarnate. Some of the most well-known verses in all of the Bible are found here. None is more famous than the one-sentence summary of the gospel found in John 3:16.

Accessed 5/7/2024 8:44:31 PM