Saw behind him that other disciple, whom Jesus loved is more literally “sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following.” Although the verb “to follow” usually has the sense “to follow as a disciple,” the focus here seems to be on its literal meaning, “coming up behind.” Peter and Jesus are walking together, with the disciple whom Jesus loved following behind them.

The second half of this verse, another explanatory comment, alludes to the question asked at the Last Supper by the disciple whom Jesus loved (13.25). In the Greek text Jesus is not explicitly mentioned. Had leaned close to Jesus is literally “had reclined on his breast.” In Greek the disciple’s words are in direct discourse, and this form is followed by most modern language translations. However, it is possible to restructure the passage as indirect discourse, for example, “the one who had leaned close to Jesus at the meal and had asked him who was going to betray him.” Since “the meal” was the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “he was the same one who had eaten next to Jesus during the last meal.”

Instead of using a dash as a mark of punctuation, it may be better to begin a new sentence in the middle of verse 20: “That other disciple was the one who leaned close to Jesus….” It may also be necessary to indicate clearly to whom the other disciple directed his question, for example, “and asked Jesus, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’ ” or “ ‘… turn you over to your enemies?’ ”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .