King James Version

What Does John 21:20 Mean?

John 21:20 in the King James Version says “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and... — study this verse from John chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

John 21:20 · KJV


Context

18

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

19

This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

20

Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?

21

Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

22

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? After receiving prophecy of his martyrdom, Peter's immediate response is to look at another disciple. Turning about (ἐπιστραφεὶς/epistrapheis) suggests physical movement—Peter literally turns to see John following.

The description the disciple whom Jesus loved (ὃν ἠγάπα ὁ Ἰησοῦς/hon ēgapa ho Iēsous) is John's characteristic self-reference, using ἀγαπάω (agapaō)—divine, elective love. John never names himself in this Gospel, preferring this tender description. The participle following (ἀκολουθοῦντα/akolouthounta) echoes Jesus's command to Peter—both disciples are following, but Peter's attention shifts from Christ to comparison.

John provides identifying details: which also leaned on his breast at supper (ὃς καὶ ἀνέπεσεν ἐν τῷ δείπνῳ ἐπὶ τὸ στῆθος αὐτοῦ/hos kai anepesen en tō deipnō epi to stēthos autou). This recalls John 13:23-25, the Last Supper scene where John reclined next to Jesus in the position of intimacy and asked about the betrayer at Peter's prompting. The detail and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? identifies the specific moment, reinforcing that this is the same beloved disciple.

This careful identification serves narrative purpose—John establishes his eyewitness credibility while setting up Peter's coming question about John's fate. The contrast between the two disciples—Peter facing martyrdom, John's future yet unknown—creates the tension for verses 21-23.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'beloved disciple' appears five times in John's Gospel: reclining at Jesus's breast at the Last Supper (13:23), at the cross with Jesus's mother (19:26-27), reaching the tomb first on resurrection morning (20:2-8), recognizing the risen Lord at the Sea of Galilee (21:7), and here. Each appearance emphasizes intimacy with Jesus and reliable witness.

Traditional identification equates the beloved disciple with John son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve, part of Jesus's inner circle with Peter and James. The Gospel's anonymity regarding this disciple creates humility—John points to Jesus, not himself—while the repeated affirmation of Jesus's love establishes authority. Church fathers unanimously identify the beloved disciple as John the apostle and author of this Gospel.

The detail about leaning on Jesus's breast at supper recalls the posture of Roman-style reclining meals where diners lay on their left side, leaving right hand free. The person to Jesus's right would naturally lean back against His chest to speak quietly—a position of intimacy and trust. This physical closeness symbolizes spiritual intimacy, just as Moses's face-to-face encounters with God distinguished his prophetic authority (Deuteronomy 34:10).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think Peter's immediate response to prophecy of his own martyrdom was to look at another disciple rather than absorb Christ's words?
  2. How does John's self-description as 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' model both humility (not naming himself) and confidence (resting in Christ's love)?
  3. What does the contrast between Peter (activist, impulsive) and John (contemplative, intimate) teach about different personality types in following Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Ἐπιστραφεὶς1 of 30

turning about

G1994

to revert (literally, figuratively or morally)

δέ2 of 30

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος4 of 30

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

βλέπει5 of 30

seeth

G991

to look at (literally or figuratively)

τὸν6 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητὴν7 of 30

the disciple

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

ὃς8 of 30

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἠγάπα9 of 30

loved

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

10 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς11 of 30

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἀκολουθοῦντα12 of 30

following

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

ὃς13 of 30

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καὶ14 of 30

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀνέπεσεν15 of 30

leaned

G377

to fall back, i.e., lie down, lean back

ἐν16 of 30

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ17 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δείπνῳ18 of 30

supper

G1173

dinner, i.e., the chief meal (usually in the evening)

ἐπὶ19 of 30

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ20 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

στῆθος21 of 30

breast

G4738

the (entire external) bosom, i.e., chest

αὐτοῦ22 of 30

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ23 of 30

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν24 of 30

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Κύριε25 of 30

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τίς26 of 30

which

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐστιν27 of 30

is he

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

28 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραδιδούς29 of 30

that betrayeth

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

σε30 of 30

thee

G4571

thee


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 21:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 21:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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