John 13:24

24 Therefore Simon Peter beckoned to him, and said to him, Who is it, of whom he saith?

John 13:24 Meaning and Commentary

John 13:24

Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him
Peter perhaps lay at a distance from Christ, or in some such position, that he could not whisper to him himself; and besides, knew that John might use more freedom, as he was admitted to more familiarity with him; and being at some distance also from him, he beckoned to him; which was usually done at meals, when they could not, by reason of their posture, discourse together: this being the case, (gwxmb hyl ywxm) , "they made signs", by nodding to one another F11; that is, as the gloss explains it, they pointed with their hands and fingers, and by nodding or beckoning; such a method Peter took, signifying his desire,

that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake:
which he did not out of mere curiosity, but from an honest intention and pure zeal, that he, with the rest, might show their abhorrence of such a person, and avoid him; and do all that lay in their power to hinder him from putting his designs into execution, and that the innocent might be free from all suspicion.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 T. Bab. Beracot ib.

John 13:24 In-Context

22 Therefore the disciples looked together, doubting of whom he said.
23 And so one of his disciples was resting in the bosom of Jesus, whom Jesus loved.
24 Therefore Simon Peter beckoned to him, and said to him, Who is it, of whom he saith?
25 And so when he had rested again on the breast of Jesus, he saith to him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall areach a sop of bread. And when he had wet bread, he gave to Judas of Simon Iscariot. [Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall dress bread dipped in. And when he had dipped in bread, he gave to Judas of Simon Iscariot.]
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.