John 13:23

there was leaning on Jesus" bosom Better, there was reclining on Jesus" lap. It is important to mark the distinction between this and the words rendered -lying on Jesus" breast" in John 13:25. The Jews had adopted the Persian, Greek, and Roman custom of reclining at meals, and had long since exchanged the original practice of standing at the Passover first for sitting and then for reclining. They reclined on the left arm and ate with the right. This is the posture of the beloved disciple indicated here, which continued throughout the meal: in John 13:25 we have a momentary change of posture.

whom Jesus loved This explains how S. John came to be nearest (see Introduction ii. iii. 3 b), and "out of the recollection of that sacred, never-to-be-forgotten moment, there breaks from him for the firsttime this nameless, yet so expressive designation of himself" (Meyer). Comp. John 19:26; John 21:7; John 21:20; not John 20:2. S. John was on our Lord's right. Who was next to Him on the left? Some think Judas, who must have been very close for Christ to answer him without the others hearing.