John 13:23 Commentary and Bible Study

That means to say that John and all the disciples reclined. They did not have tables; they reclined at meals. And John is in front of the Lord. So Christ looks as it were into the back of John. There was no contact between them, but it is expressed in this way. ‘There was one leaning on Jesus’ bosom.’ John’s back was to Jesus’ chest. And they were clearly not touching each other, because there would be no room to pick up the morsels of food from the cloth and to bring it before your face to eat it. So they were a slight distance between each one, but that is how it is expressed. And John is the one who calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved.