Knowing The Word in Matthew 26:17-19

The Passover with the Disciples

17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread [properly speaking the first day of Passover ran from Nisan 15 to 21, but Passover day itself was Nisan 14 on the evening of which leaven was removed from the houses] the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” [John’s Gospel clearly dates the Last Supper on the night that began Nisan 14, meaning Jesus died on the afternoon of Nisan 14 as the Passover lambs were being killed. According to astronomical calculations, Nisan 15 never fell on a Friday between AD 27 and 34. Jesus knew he would die as the Passover lamb and therefore held his Passover meal with his disciples one day early, reinventing Passover for a new people of God. This explains why there is no lamb at Jesus’ meal.] 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man [Jesus has prepared this in advance] and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time [kairos, a climactic moment, not chronological time] is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.