John 13:23 (WEB)
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest.
As quoted in the map (KJV)
John 13:23 (KJV)
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Key words
- ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ Ἰησοῦςhon ēgapa ho Iēsous · Greek
- 'whom Jesus loved' — the beloved disciple; Benjamin was 'the beloved of the LORD' (ēgapēmenos, Deuteronomy 33:12 LXX).
- ἐν τῷ κόλπῳen tō kolpō · Greek
- 'on Jesus' bosom' — the place of intimacy, as the Son is 'in the bosom of the Father' (1:18).
Why it matters
The disciple whom Jesus loved reclines at his side and is never named. Pitre proposes that the anonymity is deliberate: he is the new Benjamin, the 'beloved' second son given to the New Rachel, and because he is unnamed every reader can stand in his place and receive Mary as mother. He is also the disciple who takes Mary 'to his own' after the cross.