Then Peter, turning about, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrays you?
seeth.
John 21:7,24 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea…
John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
which.
John 13:23-26 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved…
John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper
This refers to the Last Supper, a pivotal event in the New Testament, where Jesus shared His final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. The act of leaning back against Jesus signifies a position of closeness and trust, indicating John's intimate relationship with Jesus. This moment is recorded in John 13:23-25, where John is depicted as being in a position to ask Jesus questions privately. The cultural context of reclining at meals in the ancient Near East is important here, as it was customary for diners to recline on couches, which facilitated such intimate interactions.
to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”
This question refers to the moment during the Last Supper when Jesus revealed that one of His disciples would betray Him (John 13:21-26). John's inquiry shows his concern and desire to understand Jesus' foretelling of His betrayal. This moment fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being betrayed by a close associate (Psalm 41:9). It also sets the stage for the unfolding of the Passion narrative, where Judas Iscariot's betrayal leads to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. The question reflects the tension and uncertainty among the disciples during this critical moment in Jesus' ministry.
• In the previous verse Jesus tells Peter, “Follow Me” after predicting the manner of Peter’s death (John 21:18-19). Turning shows Peter’s very human tendency to look around rather than remain fixed on Christ.
• Similar moments of distraction appear when Peter walked on water and “saw the wind” (Matthew 14:30); each time, the Lord graciously redirects him.
• The verse reminds us that obedience often means keeping our eyes on Jesus, not on what others are doing (Hebrews 12:2).
• This phrase points to John, the Gospel’s author (John 13:23; 19:26-27; 20:2).
• John’s self-description highlights relationship over name—his chief identity is being loved by Jesus (1 John 4:19).
• Peter’s notice of John underlines the differing callings of believers: Peter to pastoral leadership (John 21:15-17), John to faithful witness (Revelation 1:2).
• John physically follows the risen Christ and Peter along the shoreline, just as he has followed Jesus from the beginning (Luke 5:11).
• The scene pictures discipleship: walking behind Jesus, attentive yet unobtrusive (Mark 8:34).
• It also sets up Jesus’ later words about John’s future (John 21:22), stressing that each disciple’s path is God-designed.
• The reference recalls the intimacy of the Last Supper, where John sat next to Jesus and leaned against Him (John 13:25).
• That closeness symbolizes both fellowship and privileged insight into the Lord’s heart (Psalm 25:14; John 15:15).
• The Gospel writer re-anchors his credibility: the same eyewitness who heard Jesus predict betrayal now witnesses the post-resurrection commission.
• John’s earlier question (John 13:24-26) showed courage and trust; he could ask what others feared to voice.
• Mentioning it here contrasts the treachery of Judas with John’s steadfast devotion (Acts 1:16-17).
• It also underscores Jesus’ omniscience: the prediction came true, validating every word He now speaks about Peter and John (John 18:2-5).
John 21:20 captures a candid moment: Peter, freshly charged to “Follow Me,” turns and sees John quietly trailing them—the same beloved disciple who once leaned on Jesus to learn about the betrayer. The verse spotlights three truths: disciples easily shift focus, each believer enjoys a unique walk with Christ, and lasting closeness to Jesus springs from knowing we are loved by Him.
(20) Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following.--We must suppose that St. Peter had retired with our Lord, and that St. John seeing this had followed at a distance. He had been the companion and friend of St. Peter (comp. Introduction, p. 371). More than any other--and this is made prominent here--he had entered into close communion with the Lord Himself. He was called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (comp. John 20:2, and Introduction, p. 375); he had leaned on His breast at supper, and, at a sign from Peter, had asked who was the traitor; he may well think that for him too there was some glimpse into the future, some declaration of what his path should be; or in that mingling of act and thought, of sign and thing signified, which run all through these verses, his following may indicate that he too, though he had never dared to say so, was ready to follow wherever the Master went.Verses 20-23. -(3) The revelations made to patient waiting for the coming of the Lord, with correction of a misunderstanding touching the disciple whom Jesus loved. Verse 20. - Having turned himself round, instead of keeping every glance for his Lord, Peter seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following (ἀκολουθοῦντα), obeying the command without offering one suggestion. The writer adds, by way of further identification, he who also leaned back at the supper, upon his breast, and said, Who is he that betrayeth thee? (see notes on John 13:23). The note is here introduced to show the close connection of Peter and the beloved disciple. It was Simon Peter who had beckoned at the supper to the beloved disciple to ask this very question.
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