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Selected Verse: John 13:25 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Joh 13:25 |
Strong Concordance |
He [1565] then [1161] lying on [1968] [1909] Jesus [2424]' breast [4738] saith [3004] unto him [846], Lord [2962], who [5101] is it [2076]? |
| |
King James |
He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
He then lying--rather leaning over on Jesus' bosom.
saith--in a whisper, "Lord, who is it?" |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
| He then lying on Jesus' breast - This is a different word from the one rendered Joh 13:23 leaning. It means falling back or reclining on the bosom of Jesus. When Peter spake, John laid his head back on the bosom of Jesus, so that he could speak to him privately without being heard by others. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Lying (ἐπιπεσὼν)
This word is, literally, to fall upon, and is so rendered in almost every instance in the New Testament. In Mar 3:10, it is applied to the multitudes pressing upon Christ. It occurs, however, nowhere else in John, and therefore some of the best authorities read ἀναπεσὼν, leaning back, a verb which John uses several times in the Gospel, as in Joh 13:12. So Rev. Whichever of the two is read, it points out the distinction, which the A.V. misses by the translation lying, between ἦν ἀνακείμενος (Joh 13:23), which describes the reclining position of John throughout the meal, and the sudden change of posture pictured by ἀναπεσὼν, leaning back. The distinction is enforced by the different preposition in each case: reclining in (ἐν) Jesus' bosom, and leaning back (ἀνά). Again, the words bosom and breast represent different words in the Greek; κόλπος representing more generally the bend formed by the front part of the reclining person, the lap, and στῆθος the breast proper. The verb ἀναπίπτω, to lean back, always in the New Testament describes a change of position. It is used of a rower bending back for a fresh stroke. Plato, in the well-known passage of the "Phaedrus," in which the soul is described under the figure of two horses and a charioteer, says that when the charioteer beholds the vision of love he is afraid, and falls backward (ἀνέπεσεν), so that he brings the steeds upon their haunches.
As he was (οὕτως)
Inserted by the best texts, and not found in the A.V. Reclining as he was, he leaned back. The general attitude of reclining was maintained. Compare Joh 4:6 : "sat thus (οὕτως) on the well." According to the original institution, the Passover was to be eaten standing (Exo 12:11). After the Captivity the custom was changed, and the guests reclined. The Rabbis insisted that at least a part of the Paschal meal should be eaten in that position, because it was the manner of slaves to eat standing, and the recumbent position showed that they had been delivered from bondage into freedom.
Breast (στῆθος)
From ἵστημι, to cause to stand. Hence, that which stands out. In later writings John was known as ὁ ἐπιστήθιος, the one on the breast, or the bosom friend. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Leaning down, and so asking him privately. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| He then lying on Jesus' breast - Επιπεσων, laying his head against the breast of Christ, in a loving, respectful manner. As the expressions in the text are different here from those in the preceding verse, it shows that John altered his position at table, in order to ask the question which Peter suggested, which he probably did by whispering to our Lord; for, from Joh 13:28, we may learn that the other disciples had not heard what John said; and it is likely that the following words - It is he to whom I shall give the morsel when I have dipped it, were whispered back by Christ to John. |
23 Now [1161] there was [2258] leaning [345] on [1722] Jesus [2424]' bosom [2859] one [1520] of his [846] disciples [3101], whom [3739] Jesus [2424] loved [25].
11 And thus [03602] shall ye eat [0398] it; with your loins [04975] girded [02296], your shoes [05275] on your feet [07272], and your staff [04731] in your hand [03027]; and ye shall eat [0398] it in haste [02649]: it is the LORD'S [03068] passover [06453].
6 Now [1161] Jacob's [2384] well [4077] was [2258] there [1563]. Jesus [2424] therefore [3767], being wearied [2872] with [1537] his journey [3597], sat [2516] thus [3779] on [1909] the well [4077]: and it was [2258] about [5616] the sixth [1623] hour [5610].
23 Now [1161] there was [2258] leaning [345] on [1722] Jesus [2424]' bosom [2859] one [1520] of his [846] disciples [3101], whom [3739] Jesus [2424] loved [25].
12 So [3767] after [3753] he had washed [3538] their [846] feet [4228], and [2532] had taken [2983] his [846] garments [2440], and was set down [377] again [3825], he said [2036] unto them [846], Know ye [1097] what [5101] I have done [4160] to you [5213]?
10 For [1063] he had healed [2323] many [4183]; insomuch that [5620] they pressed upon [1968] him [846] for to [2443] touch [680] him [846], as many as [3745] had [2192] plagues [3148].
28 Now [1161] no man [3762] at the table [345] knew [1097] for what [4314] intent [5101] he spake [2036] this [5124] unto him [846].