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MAT 26:17-19

Preparing the Passover

17Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?"

18Jesus said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near; I will observe the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"

19And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

In the world it was spoken into

In first-century Judea, the Passover was a central Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. The 'first day of Unleavened Bread' marked the beginning of a week-long observance where leaven was removed from homes, and unleavened bread was eaten, reflecting the haste of the Israelites' departure. Preparation for Passover involved securing a lamb, ensuring ritual purity, and arranging a space for the meal. Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to approach 'a certain man' suggests a prearranged plan, likely with a sympathetic host in Jerusalem. The term (time) here indicates a specific, appointed moment, aligning with Jewish eschatological expectations. The disciples’ obedience reflects their role as agents in fulfilling Jesus’ directives, a common dynamic in rabbinic teacher-disciple relationships. The preparation of the Passover meal would have been a familiar ritual, yet Jesus’ emphasis on 'My time' hints at a unique significance tied to His mission.

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How other translations render this

MAT 26:17

KJV
Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
BSB
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”
Koinōnos
Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?

MAT 26:18

KJV
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
BSB
He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’”
Koinōnos
Jesus said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near; I will observe the Passover at your house with my disciples.'

MAT 26:19

KJV
And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
BSB
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
Koinōnos
And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 26:17

  • unleavened [bread]:The word translated 'unleavened' refers specifically to bread made without yeast, as commanded for the Passover feast, symbolizing purity and haste.

MAT 26:18

  • a certain man:The phrase translated 'a certain man' is a placeholder, much like saying 'so-and-so' in English, used when the speaker either doesn't know or doesn't wish to name the person.
  • time:The word translated 'time' here implies a specific, opportune, or appointed moment, rather than just a general duration of time.
  • I keep:The word translated 'I keep' can mean to do, make, or perform. In this context, it refers to the act of observing or celebrating the Passover.