Dr Paul Allen

Matthew 26:17 –19 “Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus , saying, ‘Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?’” (v. 17). With the Passover at hand, the disciples come to Jesus to inquire of the place where the meal is to be eaten (Matt. 26:17). This festival, one of the most important feast days on the Jewish calendar , has to be celebrated within  Jerusalem proper, and so our Lord and His followers must find a place to eat the Passover meal within the city, for they have been staying in Bethany (v. 6). Christ is able to direct His disciples on how they may find a room in which to eat the Passover, and they then go forth to follow His instructions (vv. 18–19). Day fourteen of the Jewish month of Nisan is the Day of Preparation for the Passover on which the lambs are slaughtered at twilight (Ex. 12:5–6). The sacrifice occurs in the afternoon, which is the end of the day ( Jews consider...

Jesus giving the Farewell discourse to his eleven remaining disciples, from the Maesta by Duccio, 1308-1311. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 26:17–19 “Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus , saying, ‘Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?’” ( v. 17 ). With the Passover at hand, the disciples come to Jesus to inquire of the place where the meal is to be eaten ( Matt. 26:17 ). This festival, one of the most important feast days on the Jewish calendar , has to be celebrated within Jerusalem proper, and so our Lord and His followers must find a place to eat the Passover meal within the city, for they have been staying in Bethany ( v. 6 ). Christ is able to direct His disciples on how they may find a room in which to eat the Passover, and they then go forth to follow His instructions ( vv. 18–19 ). Day fourteen of the Jewish month of Nisan is the Day of Preparation for the Passover on which the lambs are slaughtered at twiligh...