Section 21:20–25

Peter asked about the disciple that Jesus loved

Peter wanted to know what would happen to another of the disciples, the one that Jesus loved. However, Jesus told him that he did not have the right to know. The author then said that he was the disciple that Jesus loved. The Gospel closes with the statement that Jesus did too many miracles to record them all in this book.

Here are other possible section headings:

Peter and Jesus talked about the disciple whom Jesus loved
-or-
Peter did not need to know about what would happen to the disciple that Jesus loved
-or-
Jesus did not answer Peter about the disciple whom he loved

Paragraph 21:20–23

Peter asked Jesus what would happen to the disciple whom Jesus loved. Jesus did not answer Peter’s question, but just encouraged Peter to follow him.

21:20a

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them: While he was walking and talking with Jesus, Peter looked behind him. He saw that another disciple was walking behind them. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved. That disciple was following them. (God’s Word)
-or-
Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then Peter turned round and noticed the disciple whom Jesus loved following behind them. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

the disciple whom Jesus loved: This phrase means “Jesus’ dear friend” and probably refers to the disciple John, the author of this Gospel. See how you translated this idea in 21:7, 13:23, 19:26, and 20:2. For example:

the disciple who was dear to Jesus
-or-
Jesus’ good friend
-or-
the disciple who knew that Jesus loved him

following them: This other disciple was walking behind Peter and Jesus. Perhaps he wanted to stay close to Jesus and hear what he said, or perhaps he wanted to talk to Jesus. Here are other ways to translate this phrase;

walking behind them (New Century Version)
-or-
coming after them

21:20b

This clause refers back to the story in John 13:22–25, during Jesus’ last supper before his death. Jesus and his 12 disciples were reclining (half-lying) around the table. Each person was lying on their left side, holding their upper bodies up on their left elbow. The disciple whom Jesus loved was at Jesus’ right side. So if the disciple leaned back, he could speak quietly and privately to Jesus.

He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper: There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It refers to the way that this disciple had leaned back during the meal to ask a question. For example:

This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper (New International Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, God’s Word, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)

(2) It refers to the way that this disciple was reclining during the whole meal. For example:

the one who had been reclining at table close to him (English Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, King James Version, English Standard Version, Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In 13:25, the same verb is used to describe the disciple’s action of leaning back to speak to Jesus privately. See the notes there. The author is referring to this same action. It is good to use the same verb that you used in 13:25. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He/This was ⌊the disciple⌋ who had leaned over ⌊to talk⌋ to Jesus during the supper.
-or-
the one who had leant back close to his chest at the supper (New Jerusalem Bible)

at the supper: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as supper here refers to the evening meal. The definite article the here indicates that the author is referring to a specific supper. He is referring back to Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, described in chapter 13. In some languages it may be necessary to include a footnote referring the reader back to 13:25. Or you may make it clear in the translation. For example:

while they were eating their ⌊last⌋ evening meal together

21:20c

to ask: Although the Greek says literally “and he said,” this phrase introduces a question in direct speech. In some languages it is more natural to use a verb meaning “asked,” like in the Berean Standard Bible.

Lord: This word is a title of respect meaning “master, one with authority.” See how you translated this word in 13:25 and 21:17.

who is going to betray You?: At the last supper, Jesus had just said someone would betray him. Then John asked privately who that was. This is not the exact words of the original question as recorded in 13:25, but the meaning is the same. Here are other ways to translate this question:

who will betray you?
-or-
which ⌊of us (excl.)⌋ will betray you?
-or-
who will turn against you? (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be more natural to translate this question as indirect speech. For example:

and asked ⌊Jesus⌋ who would betray him
-or-
and asked Jesus who would help his enemies ⌊arrest/capture him⌋

betray: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as betray often means to give someone to the authorities to arrest. Here it refers to doing that to someone to whom you owe loyalty. Judas helped Jesus’ enemies by identifying him for the soldiers to arrest. See how you translated this idea in 13:21.

You: This pronoun is singular and refers to Jesus.

General Comment on 21:20b–c

John 21:20b–c gives parenthetical background information. Some translations indicate that it is not part of the main story by putting this information in parentheses. For example:

(This was the disciple who had leaned back against Jesus’ chest at the meal and asked, “Lord, who is the one who is going to betray you?”) (NET Bible)

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