Bible Strands
John 13:23
One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His twelve disciples during the final meal, immediately after announcing that one of them will betray Him. The disciples look at one another in confusion before Peter signals the reclining disciple to ask for clarification.
The words — ἀνακείμενος (anakeimenos) denotes reclining, and εἷς (heis) specifies one, together describing a single disciple positioned physically close to Jesus.
The thread — This figure reappears in John 19:26, 20:2, and 21:7 as the consistent companion present at the cross, the empty tomb, and the Galilee restoration.
Why it lands — The text establishes physical proximity to Jesus as a marker of observational authority, positioning this disciple as the direct witness to the subsequent events.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Cross-references
- John 19:26 When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.”
- John 20:2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”
- John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.
- John 21:20 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?”
- Revelation 1:16 He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
- 2 Samuel 12:3 but the poor man had nothing except one small ewe lamb that he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms and was like a daughter to him.
- John 13:25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked, “Lord, who is it?”
- John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.
- John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
- John 11:3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one You love is sick.”