King James Bible
"Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved."
This describes the ancient Near Eastern dining posture where guests reclined on couches, with one person able to lean back against another's chest. The disciple's physical closeness to Jesus at the Last Supper indicates a position of special intimacy and honor at the meal. The author deliberately leaves this disciple unnamed, though tradition identifies him as John the Apostle. This anonymity may serve to emphasize the relationship over the individual's identity. This phrase becomes a recurring identifier for this disciple throughout John's Gospel. Rather than suggesting favoritism, it highlights the profound experience of being personally loved by Christ—a love available to all disciples but particularly recognized by this one.