August 25, 2023
Missing Something Important
“There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, ‘Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.’ He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” John 13:23-25 (NASB)
In high school one day, I was listening to the teacher. I missed what she said about a math problem. I asked the kid next to me what she said. He said, “Shh.” I poked him and asked him what she said. He said, “Stop talking to me, I am trying to listen.” I kept poking him, but he never would tell me. I was frustrated. I did not hear the concept (not that I was any good at math). I failed that test too. Sometimes we miss what is being said, due to extra noise, people talking, or failure to listen. My reason was because I was not listening. When we miss something, we often poke someone or try to get their attention. Peter wanted to know what Jesus said as he gestured to John. Something big happened and Peter missed it.
“There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” Newman gives us a look at the custom for the meal: “Was sitting next to Jesus is literally “was reclining on Jesus’ bosom.” The word “bosom” is used here and in 1:18 (TEV at the Father’s side). The expression reflects the table posture of that day. Guests at a feast reclined sideways on couches, resting on the left arm and keeping the right arm free for taking food. The feet were stretched out behind. The tables were probably placed in a kind of horseshoe arrangement, with the host in the center, and the place of honor to his left, The next highest place would be the one immediately to his right. Thus, the person to the right of the host would be in a position with his head close to the host’s chest, and it would be easy for him to speak confidentially to the host. The host would occupy a similar position in relation to the honored guest on his left, and could easily speak to him privately.”[1] You can see the love of Jesus has for John. He was always within close proximity. In fact in chapter 19:26, we see the same relationship mentioned as, “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby…” This relationship would have been obvious to the disciples. As John was close to Jesus, Peter leaned forward to determine who the person was that Jesus spoke of, “So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, ‘Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.’ He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ “If Peter had been next to John, he would only have leaned his head back on John’s breast, as John does when he now speaks to Jesus. If Peter were farther removed from John, Peter’s word to John would have been heard also by Jesus. Peter’s beckoning begs John to lean forward toward him. When John does this, Peter whispers to him and asks John to tell of whom Jesus is speaking. Evidently, Peter assumes that Jesus had told John, and that thus John already knew. This is incidental evidence, stronger because it is incidental, of the intimacy existing between Jesus and John, as this was recognized and accepted by the other disciples.”[2]
When Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me” (13:21), He got the attention of Peter. Peter wanted to know the traitor’s identity. Maybe because he was the hot-head of the group, and he would take care of the situation for Jesus (in his mind). Jesus was undeterred though. His mission was ending. The Father’s will would be done. Peter could not stop it, but later reject Jesus three times.
[1] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (pp. 441–442). United Bible Societies.
[2] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The interpretation of St. John’s gospel (p. 945). Augsburg Publishing House.