John 13:23–26

Followeth a further effect of the former discovery, in Peter, occasioning the third step of the discovery, and a particular designation of the traitour unto John. The summe of this purpose is; the intimation that there was a traitor in their society, and the impossibility to know who he was, either by that intimation or by his countenance, kindles in Peter an earnest desire to know him. And being neither willing to propound his desire openly, seeing Christ had hitherto forborn to name him; not being able to propound it secretly to Christ, by reason of his distance: He makes a secret signe to John, the beloved disciple who sat nearest Christ that he should enquire; who accepting of the employment, and propounding the matter to Christ, Judas is discovered to him by a signe secretly agreed upon betwixt Christ and him. For clearing this a little, consider. 1. Whereas John is said to lean on Jesus bosome, it points at their custome in sitting at table, that they did lie upon beds or couches with their feet outward, and their heads inward, leaning themselves on their elbows, and so the head of one lay neare to the bosome of another, as John did here to Christ: yet not so near but there was some distance, for John, v. 25. must lie on Jesus breast, or, raise up himselfe a little and fall upon it (as the original is) before he can propound the matter secretly. Consider, 2. Christ chuseth this way to discover Judas unto John, by giving a sop when he had dipped it, (which was some part of that Supper before the Sacrament was instituted) partly because this was a more secret way of designing him, seeing it was usual for Christ to distribute meat amongst them, and so none could know the matter but John who understood his purpose in it, and (belike) Judas himself. And partly because this signe was most agreeable to the prediction, Ps. 41.9. and might put Judas in minde of his ingratitude.

From v. 23. Learn. 1. Albeit Christ love all his disciples and followers; yet as man he had degrees of of love and familiarity with some beyond others; And as God also, he may let out sensible evidences of love to some, beyond others; for albeit he loved all his own, v. 1. yet here there is one disciple whom Jesus loved, in a singular way, to wit, as he was man, and in respect of kinde manifestations of himself. 2. Such as are indeed beloved of Christ, will esteem highly of this as their chief dignity, and far above any love they can have to him; for, this is the character of the beloved disciple; Albeit he loved Christ, yet there is no word of that, but of Christs love to him; and he gives himself no other name or title, as accounting it his chiefest glory to be called one of his disciples whom Jesus loved. So also c, 19.26. and 21.20. 3. Such are beloved of Christ, albeit they account it their great glory; yet they will entertain it with much modesty and sobriety; for John in writing the history, when he speaks of these his priviledges, yet never names himself who he was, till c. 21.20.24. that closing the history, he must declare who was the penman of it. 4. Such as are beloved of Christ will delight much in intimate familiarity with him, and will be admitted thereto; for it is Johns choice and Christs allowance, that he leaned on Jesus bosome.

From v. 24. Learn. 1. An honest heart is not satisfied with its own testimony, unlesse also it get Christs approbation; for, Peter would know who it should be of whom he spake, not only that he might know him, but that himself also might be assoiled by Christ. 2. It is necessary for these whose infirmities do frequently burst forth, that they do witnesse their integrity, by zeal and forwardnesse for Christ, and by being as eminent in duty, as sometime they are in their failings; for here Peter, who was oftimes further wrong then the rest, manifests more zeal then all the rest, and is as eminent in his indignation against treachery. And indeed his failings were (for most port) not in the extreame of luke warmnesse, but of rash zeal and respect to Christ. 3. It is commendable when the fruit of many reproofs appears in taking with faults, and reforming them in practise; for, this is also to be observed in his carriage, who being often reproved for his rash forwardnesse, doth now modestly becken to John, that he should ask, though shortly after he returned to his old rashnesse. 4. It may be easily discerned by any, that such as are most beloved of Christ, will get most of his minde; Therefore, Peter beckoned to him, that he should ask, not only because he was nearest Christ, but because being beloved of him, he hoped he would tell him as soon as any.

From v. 25, 26. Learn, 1. Such as love Christ, and are beloved of him, may be very bold with him, without misconstruction; for lying on Christs breast, he propounds the question. 2. Loves boldnesse doth not seclude revence, but takes it along with it; for in the midst of this boldnesse, he calls him Lord, and lieth on Jesus breast, to enquire secretly, till he should know his pleasure, whether he would reveal it or not. 3. As latent hypocrites are known only to Christ, so they must be left to him to discover them, and we must not sit down on his throne of judgement; for; John goeth to Christ to know this traitor, Lord who is it? 4. They are not mistaken, who expect that much of Christs minde will be revealed to such as are beloved of him, and that in their familiar and reverent addresses; they will be made welcome; for, John gets a good answer as Peter expected. Jesus answered, he it is to whom I shall give a sop, &c. 5. Christ may be doing good to them who are but traitours to him, and by his outward favours, be discovering to right discerners, how disapproven they are of him; for, he gives a sop to Judas Iscariot the traitour, and by this discovers to John that he is a traitour. 6 Saints to whom Christ reveales not such things as they desire, must reverence his dispensation; And when he doth not cleare their doubts fully to them, they are to rest satisfied in the testimony of a good conscience; for, Peter having done his duty to know the traitour, must rest satisfied that he is designed only to John, and when Christ doth not clear him expresly that it was not himself, he is left to look to the conscience of his own integrity.