Why Does Peter Hold a knife in the painting - The Last Supper?

Question

Some people say its protect jesus because he knew that jesus was going to be betrayed by one of his disciples. But some say is because peter is jealous of mary because jesus loved her more. Well i think that peter is jealous because in the bible it says that they shared one bread between the ten of the disciples plus jesus because they are together. But in the painting there is more than one loaf of bread so that means jesus loves mary more is this true?

Answer 1

First off, "The Last Supper" is an artist's conception of that event in history, very heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic theology of the time. Jesus was not really fair-haired as he is depicted, as none of the apostles were either. Ever see a light-skinned Palestinian? Secondly, knives and forks were not used until about 1300 years after Jesus's death, so it is unlikely they would have been there at the last supper. In fact, they would have eaten with their fingers, and wiped their hands on their clothes. The entire picture, is an artist's conception of the event, loosely configured to match biblical accounts of the last supper. It is a representation, not a true to life fact. The written history of the time of Christ is far more revealing than the Biblical accounts, and likely far more accurate. Study history, and then draw your own conclusions based on fact. Balance that if you will, with your faith.

Answer 2

Well of course this was an artist's conception...all paintings are in a way. But Leonardo was a very educated/well-read individual and so I have to disagree with "captsnuf" when stating "don't read too much into a painting by an italian master." In fact you do have to pay close attention to all the details and iconography in both Italian and Northern Ren paintings and sculptures. "Samanthajanecaroline" is correct in identifying Leonardo's notes on the subject, while he also made drawings of the arm and hand holding the knife showing it twisting awkwardly...symbolically. The knife definitely foreshadows the defense of Christ later that evening as read in John 18:10-11 (this is seen in many other paintings of Peter as one of his attributes - along with the keys to Heaven and Earth). But if you look at his hands, both are symbolic of certain apostles' martyrdoms and/or futures. One hand touches St. John the Evangelist and the other with the knife points directly to St. Bartholomew, Bartholomew was flayed (skinned with a knife) alive. SJE would be given a specific "protective" charge by Christ, as was Peter (Peter as the rock on which the teaching of Christ would be founded - therefore the new protector of His flock, and SJE was to take care of the Virgin Mother - thus both are protectors serving as a foil for Judas, the betrayer, leaning away). I believe Leo Steinberg wrote quite a bit on the symbolic hand gestures and expressions of the apostles in this painting.

Answer 3

Piper54Alpha, we're not talking theology here nor history but an art historical interpretation which is somewhat different. We are trying to discover what the artist was attempting to convey to the viewer, not question the chronological accuracy of knives and forks etc.

If we look at Paris Manuscript K, the artist himself has made notes regarding this work. He describes what he thinks each disciple going to be doing when he paints it and for Peter he writes 'the listener twists his body round to [another] while holding a knife in one hand and in the other some bread half cut through by a knife'.

From Leonardo's own words we an summise that on one level the knife is considered merely prop. If we then consider the academic qualities of humanist art we can also apply symbology to the knife perhaps pre empting occurances within the garden of Gethsemane.

Remember Leonardo was attempting a narrative (story) and in order to do depict reactions to Christ's statement that 'one of you shall betray me',(something that was relatively new and innovative at the time) needed a varied repetoire of figures with different expressions and poses.

Answer 4

don't read too much into a painting by an italian master...in the gospel peter took a sword into the garden, and the way it is written and read and told from the pulpit, it would seem that Jesus didn't particularly approve, but i think Jesus made sure there was a sword available for peter to take, (so he could later come to an understanding of himself as a man and become a more whole man in the process of the denial and crucifixion, later the resurection and answering his call to be an apostle in the church).
the knife in the painting probably reflects that part of peter's nature, that of a sword bearer, rather than that of one who is jealous of someone's love for a woman...and the time of betrayal hadn't yet been revealed...and the need for protection wasn't quite yet...peter did get into a bit of a brawl in the garden trying to protect Jesus, it is a good story, and i'll let you look it up and read it for yourself.
if you study the gospels, (all four of them) you will come to a more clear understanding of the painting for yourself, and not have to rely so much on what some say.

Answer 5

Leonardo da Vinci painted this beautiful masterpiece.

But he wasn't at the dinner in question; it is simply an artist's rendering. How can you project forward or reach backward in time to create some temporal or factual link between the portrayal shown in the painting and the (supposedly) actual event?

Even if I were to give you the existence of a 'Jesus' and a 'Last Supper' I would instantly decide the concept was fantastical and out of the question the moment I get asked to connect an event with a painting done 1,500 or so years later.

Answer 6

Most art historians interpret the knife in Peter’s hand to be a foreshadowing of the sword he will use a few hours later to defend Jesus in the garden.

Answer 7

because he gets to cut the bread !