Matthew 26:17

Now the first day of the feast of vnleauened bread, the disciples came to Iesus, saying vnto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passeouer? Matthew 26:17 (KJV)

Context: Matthew 26:17 takes place during the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, specifically on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This was also the time when the Passover was observed, as both events coincided in the Jewish calendar.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread:

This feast was one of the annual Jewish festivals, which took place immediately after the Passover. It lasted for seven days and commemorated the time when the Israelites left Egypt in haste and did not have time to allow their bread to rise. During this feast, the people were commanded to eat unleavened bread, symbolising the haste of their departure from Egypt.

The Passover:

The Passover was a significant event in Jewish history, commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The Passover lamb was sacrificed, and its blood was applied to the doorposts of the Israelites’ homes, signifying their obedience to God’s command. The angel of death passed over the homes with the blood, sparing the firstborn of the Israelites.

Preparation for the Passover:

In this verse, the disciples approached Jesus, asking Him where they should prepare for Him to eat the Passover. This shows their obedience to Jesus’ instructions and their recognition of His authority to guide them. It also implies that Jesus had made prior arrangements for the observance of the Passover meal.

Jesus’ Knowledge and Planning:

Jesus, being fully aware of the impending events and having divine knowledge, had made preparations for the Passover meal. This demonstrates His foresight and control over the situation. It also highlights His intention to fulfil the Old Testament prophecies and institute the New Covenant through His impending death and resurrection.

Symbolism:

The Passover meal had deep symbolism related to Jesus’ sacrificial death and the establishment of the Lord’s Supper or Communion. The unleavened bread represented His sinless body, while the wine represented His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. The Passover lamb, traditionally sacrificed during the Passover, foreshadowed Jesus’ role as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb of God.

By studying this verse, we gain insight into the historical context, the significance of the Passover, and Jesus’ intentional preparation for the observance of this meal. It also points us to the greater fulfilment of the Passover in Jesus’ sacrifice, which brings redemption and salvation to all who believe in Him.