At a feast or dinner guests did not sit on chairs, they reclined on couches, each on his left side with his feet stretching back, arranged by rank with the chief person in the middle. That posture is why one disciple could lean back on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper (John 13:23–25), and why a woman could reach his feet from behind the couch (Luke 7:36–38). Ordinary early meals were eaten sitting, and the Mishnah keys the blessing to the posture: sitting, each blesses for himself; reclining, one blesses for all. At Passover, reclining was required: “Even the poorest person in Israel must not eat until he reclines,” with no fewer than four cups of wine.
Daily life in Bible times
Reclining at table
Food & meals
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- John 13:23bsb
One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side.
- Luke 7:36bsb
Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.
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