| Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 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, , "they made signs", by nodding to one another (k); 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. (k) T. Bab. Beracot ib.
Vincent's Word StudiesBeckoneth (νεύει) Literally, noddeth. That he should ask who it should be (πυθέσθαι τίς ἄν εἴη) The best texts read, καὶ λέγει αὐτῳ εἰπὲ τίς ἐστιν, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is.
Geneva Study BibleSimon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
People's New Testament 13:24,25 Simon Peter there beckoned to him. The disciples did not know who would be the traitor. At Peter's request, John, in a low tone, asked Jesus.
Wesley's Notes 13:24 Simon Peter - Behind Jesus, who lay between them.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary13:18-30 Our Lord had often spoken of his own sufferings and death, without such trouble of spirit as he now discovered when he spake of Judas. The sins of Christians are the grief of Christ. We are not to confine our attention to Judas. The prophecy of his treachery may apply to all who partake of God's mercies, and meet them with ingratitude. See the infidel, who only looks at the Scriptures with a desire to do away their authority and destroy their influence; the hypocrite, who professes to believe the Scriptures, but will not govern himself by them; and the apostate, who turns aside from Christ for a thing of naught. Thus mankind, supported by God's providence, after eating bread with Him, lift up the heel against Him! Judas went out as one weary of Jesus and his apostles. Those whose deeds are evil, love darkness rather than light. | 
