In biblical times, the act of reclining was a common posture during meals and certain social gatherings, reflecting the customs and cultural practices of the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world. This practice is notably depicted in several passages of the New Testament, where it holds both practical and symbolic significance.

Cultural Context

Reclining at meals was a practice adopted from the Greeks and Romans, where participants would lie on couches around a low table, supporting themselves on their left elbow and eating with their right hand. This posture was a sign of leisure and freedom, often associated with banquets and festive occasions. In Jewish culture, reclining during meals became a symbol of freedom, particularly during the Passover, commemorating the Israelites' liberation from Egyptian bondage.

Biblical References

1. The Last Supper: One of the most significant instances of reclining in the Bible is during the Last Supper, where Jesus and His disciples reclined at the table. In the Gospel of John, it is recorded, "So He leaned back against Jesus and asked, 'Lord, who is it?'" (John 13:25). This intimate setting highlights the closeness of the disciples to Jesus and the importance of the meal they shared.

2. Feeding of the Five Thousand: In the account of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus instructs the crowd to recline on the grass. "Then Jesus directed them to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass" (Mark 6:39). The act of reclining here is indicative of preparation for a meal, underscoring the miraculous provision of food by Jesus.

3. Anointing at Bethany: In the Gospel of Matthew, during a meal at Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume while He is reclining at the table. "While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table" (Matthew 26:6-7). This event signifies honor and devotion, as well as foreshadowing Jesus' impending death and burial.

4. Parable of the Great Banquet: Jesus uses the imagery of reclining in His parables to convey spiritual truths. In the parable of the great banquet, He describes guests reclining at the table in the kingdom of God. "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet'" (Luke 14:23-24). Reclining here symbolizes the joy and fellowship of the heavenly banquet.

Theological Significance

Reclining in the biblical narrative often signifies rest, fellowship, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It reflects a state of peace and communion, both in the physical act of sharing a meal and in the spiritual sense of partaking in the blessings of God's kingdom. The posture of reclining, especially in the presence of Jesus, emphasizes the intimate relationship between the Savior and His followers, as well as the invitation to partake in the divine fellowship offered through Christ.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Recline.

2. (a.) Falling or turned downward; reclinate.

345. anakeimai -- to be laid up, to recline
... Word Origin from ana and keimai Definition to be laid up, to recline NASB Word Usage
dinner guests (3), reclined (1), reclines (2), reclining (7), seated (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/345.htm - 7k

2625. kataklino -- to make to lie down
... and pass: I recline at table. Word Origin from kata and klino Definition to make
to lie down NASB Word Usage reclined (2), sit down (2), take (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2625.htm - 6k

377. anapipto -- to fall back
... Word Origin from ana and pipto Definition to fall back NASB Word Usage leaned back
(1), leaning back (1), recline (1), reclined (3), sat down (2), sit down (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/377.htm - 6k

When Jesus at the Feast Reclined,
... PENTECOST When Jesus at the feast reclined,. tr., John Brownlie 8.8.8.8. I. When
Jesus at the feast reclined,. And sad disciples sorrowed most,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/when jesus at the feast.htm

'Is it I?'
... We have to picture to ourselves some low table, probably a mere tray spread upon
the ground, round which our Lord and the twelve reclined, in such a fashion as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/is it i.htm

John Chapter xi. 55-57; xii
... And there they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them
that reclined at the table." To prevent people thinking that the man had ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate l john chapter xi.htm

Judas Exposed.
... Roman fashion. A wide couch was placed along the table and each guest reclined
on his left elbow with his feet extended outward. The ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/judas exposed.htm

The Foot-Washing.
... during supper." The difficulty about washing the feet could not have arisen after
or during supper, but only as the guests entered and reclined at table. ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/vi the foot-washing.htm

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
... [Literally, reclined at meat. The old Jewish method of eating was to sit
cross-legged on the floor or on a divan, but the Persians ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvi jesus feet anointed in.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
... And the apostle seeing them all reclining, reclined he also in the midst. ... And Abbanes
the merchant, as being a lord, reclined in another place. ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle.htm

Anointed for Burial.
... She anointed first his head, and then his feet. She came up behind as he reclined
at table and poured it on his head, and then stooped down to his feet. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/anointed for burial.htm

The Two Debtors.
... A woman who had been of bad character in the town, as soon as she learned that he
was there, entered the apartment where the guests reclined at meat, and stood ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xvi the two debtors.htm

The Paschal Supper - the Institution of the Lord's Supper.
... We also know, that, as the Jewish Law directed, they reclined on pillows around
a low table, each resting on his left hand, so as to leave the right free. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the paschal supper.htm

Reclined (7 Occurrences)
...Reclined (7 Occurrences). ... Luke 7:36 Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him
to a meal at his house; so He entered the house and reclined at the table. ...
/r/reclined.htm - 8k

Asking (111 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:36 And a certain one of the Pharisees was asking him that he might eat with
him, and having gone into the house of the Pharisee he reclined (at meat ...
/a/asking.htm - 34k

Recline (14 Occurrences)

/r/recline.htm - 10k

Meat (387 Occurrences)
... to meat? (KJV ASV YLT). Luke 22:14 And when the hour come, he reclined
(at meat), and the twelve apostles with him, (YLT). Luke 22 ...
/m/meat.htm - 36k

Loving (292 Occurrences)
... John 21:20 And Peter having turned about doth see the disciple whom Jesus was loving
following, (who also reclined in the supper on his breast, and said, 'Sir ...
/l/loving.htm - 36k

Tables (41 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Mark 7:4) means banqueting-couches or benches,
on which the Jews reclined when at meals. This custom, along ...
/t/tables.htm - 20k

Reclines (1 Occurrence)

/r/reclines.htm - 6k

Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:36 Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his house;
so He entered the house and reclined at the table. (WEY). ...
/r/repeatedly.htm - 14k

Delivering (35 Occurrences)
... John 21:20 And Peter having turned about doth see the disciple whom Jesus was loving
following, (who also reclined in the supper on his breast, and said, 'Sir ...
/d/delivering.htm - 16k

Meal (288 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:36 Now one of the Pharisees repeatedly invited Him to a meal at his house;
so He entered the house and reclined at the table. (WEY BBE). ...
/m/meal.htm - 36k

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