Luke 22:13

KJV

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they went {G565}, and found {G2147} as {G2531} he had said {G2046} unto them {G846}: and {G2532} they made ready {G2090} the passover {G3957}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They went and found things just as Yeshua had told them they would be, and they prepared for the Seder.

Berean Standard Bible

So they went and found it just as Jesus had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

American Standard Version

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:13 succinctly records the disciples' immediate and faithful obedience to Jesus' specific instructions for preparing the Passover meal. This verse serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sovereign control over events, demonstrating the precise fulfillment of His word by Peter and John, thereby setting the stage for the pivotal institution of the Lord's Supper and the inauguration of the New Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' detailed and somewhat enigmatic instructions to Peter and John in [Luke 22:7-12](/luke/22-7-12 "Luke 22:7-12 - Jesus' Instructions for Passover"). Having sent them into the city with a specific sign—a man carrying a jar of water—Jesus promised they would be led to a large, furnished upper room where they were to prepare the Passover. Luke 22:13 confirms the disciples' prompt and successful execution of these instructions, serving as the narrative's resolution to Jesus' directive and a crucial bridge to the Last Supper account that begins in [Luke 22:14](/luke/22-14 "Luke 22:14 - The Last Supper Begins"). The conciseness of this verse highlights the seamless and divinely orchestrated nature of the events leading up to Jesus' passion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Passover was one of the most significant annual feasts in ancient Israel, commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, particularly the night when the angel of death "passed over" the houses marked with lamb's blood ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")). By Jesus' time, it involved a ritual meal with specific elements like unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and roasted lamb. The preparation for this feast was meticulous and culturally ingrained. Jesus' instructions, particularly the sign of a man carrying water (a task typically done by women), would have been unusual and served as a unique, identifiable marker in a bustling Jerusalem preparing for the festival. The "large upper room" was likely a common space rented for such gatherings, but its availability and readiness "as he had said" underscore a divine arrangement.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Foreknowledge**, as Jesus' precise prediction and its exact fulfillment underscore His divine authority and control over all circumstances, even those seemingly mundane. This aligns with His prophetic declarations throughout His ministry, such as His foretelling of His suffering and death in [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Death"). Another prominent theme is **Obedience and Trust**, exemplified by the disciples' immediate and unquestioning compliance with Jesus' instructions, which were unusual yet proved entirely reliable. This highlights the importance of faith-filled action in response to God's word. Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Preparation for the New Covenant**, as the physical act of "making ready the passover" sets the stage for Jesus to transform the ancient Passover ritual into the foundational meal of the new covenant, anticipating His sacrificial death and resurrection, as detailed in [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **went (Greek, _apérchomai'_):** From G565, meaning "to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively." Here, it signifies the disciples' physical departure from Jesus to carry out His command. The immediate nature of their "going" speaks to their prompt obedience and trust in Jesus' word, without hesitation or delay.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** From G2147, meaning "to find (literally or figuratively)." This word confirms the exact fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. The disciples "found" precisely what Jesus had described—the man with the water jar, the leading to the house, and the furnished upper room. This finding is not accidental but a direct result of divine orchestration and the accuracy of Jesus' foreknowledge.
* **made ready (Greek, _hetoimázō'_):** From G2090, meaning "to prepare." This term implies a thorough and complete preparation, not just a hasty setup. It encompasses all the necessary actions to ensure the Passover meal could be properly observed, from acquiring the lamb to arranging the setting. The disciples' diligent "making ready" underscores their commitment to fulfilling Jesus' instructions for this sacred and pivotal meal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they went":** This clause highlights the disciples' immediate and active response to Jesus' command. Peter and John, specifically commissioned for this task, demonstrate prompt obedience. Their "going" signifies the beginning of their mission, a journey undertaken in faith based on Jesus' preceding instructions.
* **"and found as he had said unto them":** This is the pivotal affirmation of Jesus' omniscience and authority. The conjunction "and" links their action to the successful outcome. The phrase "as he had said unto them" emphasizes the precise, point-for-point fulfillment of Jesus' detailed prophecy regarding the man with the water jar and the upper room. This finding validates Jesus' divine insight and the reliability of His word, reinforcing the disciples' trust.
* **"and they made ready the passover":** This final clause describes the successful completion of their task. Having found the designated place, the disciples diligently prepared the traditional Passover meal. This act of "making ready" is not merely a logistical detail but a profoundly significant action, as it sets the physical stage for the Last Supper, where Jesus would transform the ancient Passover into the new covenant meal, symbolizing His ultimate sacrifice.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 22:13, though brief, employs several effective literary devices. **Narrative Economy** is evident in the concise reporting of the disciples' actions and the immediate fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. The verse quickly moves from instruction to execution, highlighting the seamless unfolding of divine will without unnecessary detail. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as the meticulous preparation of the Passover meal subtly anticipates the profound theological significance of the Last Supper, which is about to occur. The disciples' act of "making ready" the old covenant meal unknowingly prepares the way for the institution of the new. Furthermore, there is an element of **Validation** or **Confirmation**, as the phrase "found as he had said unto them" serves to affirm Jesus' divine foreknowledge and the trustworthiness of His word, reinforcing His authority to the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:13 is a powerful demonstration of divine sovereignty working through human obedience. It underscores that God's plans are meticulously laid out and infallibly executed, even in the mundane details of life. The disciples' faithful "going" and "finding" precisely "as he had said" reveals a God who is intimately involved in the unfolding of His redemptive purposes, orchestrating circumstances to bring about His will. This preparation for the Passover, an ancient feast commemorating deliverance, becomes the very setting for the institution of the New Covenant, where the ultimate deliverance from sin through Christ's sacrifice is revealed. It teaches us that our obedience, however small the task, can be a vital part of God's grand design.

* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23 - The Steps of a Good Man")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - Man Plans His Way, But the Lord Directs His Steps")
* [John 13:17](/john/13-17 "John 13:17 - Blessed Are You If You Do These Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 22:13, though brief, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. The disciples' immediate and unquestioning obedience to Jesus' seemingly unusual instructions serves as a powerful model for our own walk of faith. They didn't hesitate or demand further explanation; they simply "went" and "found." This reminds us that true faith often involves stepping out in obedience even when the path ahead isn't fully clear, trusting that God's word is reliable and His promises are true. Just as their preparation of the Passover was crucial for the institution of the Lord's Supper, our seemingly small acts of faithfulness can be integral to God's larger, redemptive plan unfolding in our lives and in the world. It calls us to a posture of readiness and responsiveness, recognizing that every act of obedience is an act of worship and a participation in God's sovereign work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life is God calling you to immediate and unquestioning obedience, even when the instructions seem unusual or the outcome uncertain?**
* **How does the disciples' experience of "finding as he had said" strengthen your trust in God's faithfulness and the reliability of His word?**
* **What "preparations" (spiritual, emotional, practical) might God be asking you to make today that could be setting the stage for a significant spiritual encounter or a deeper understanding of His will?**

### FAQ

**Who were "they" who went and found as Jesus had said?**

Answer: The "they" in [Luke 22:13](/luke/22-13 "Luke 22:13 - Disciples Prepare the Passover") refers specifically to Peter and John. In the preceding verses, [Luke 22:8](/luke/22-8 "Luke 22:8 - Jesus Sends Peter and John") states, "And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat." These two disciples were entrusted with the crucial task of making the arrangements for the Last Supper, demonstrating their prominent role among the Twelve.

**Why was it important that they "found as he had said unto them"?**

Answer: The precise fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy—that they would find a man carrying a jar of water who would lead them to a specific upper room—is profoundly important because it underscores Jesus' divine foreknowledge and sovereignty. It demonstrates that Jesus was not merely reacting to circumstances but was in complete control, orchestrating every detail according to His divine plan. This miraculous accuracy serves to validate His claims and affirm His divine authority, assuring both the disciples and future readers that His words are trustworthy and His plan is infallible, even in the face of His impending suffering and death, as foretold in [Luke 18:31-33](/luke/18-31-33 "Luke 18:31-33 - Jesus Foretells His Passion").

**What is the significance of "making ready the passover" in this context?**

Answer: "Making ready the passover" was far more than a logistical detail; it was the essential preparation for one of the most pivotal events in salvation history. The traditional Passover meal commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. By preparing this meal, the disciples unwittingly set the stage for Jesus to transform its meaning, instituting the Lord's Supper. This new meal would symbolize His body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins, establishing the New Covenant, as described in [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper"). Thus, their act of preparation was a bridge between the Old Covenant's shadows and the New Covenant's reality, pointing directly to Christ as the ultimate Paschal Lamb.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 22:13, while seemingly a simple narrative detail, profoundly points to Christ's central role in salvation history. The disciples' act of "making ready the passover" is not merely for a traditional Jewish feast, but for the very meal where Jesus would reveal Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover lamb. Just as the original Passover lamb's blood saved Israel from death ([Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Blood as a Sign")), Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was preparing to offer His own life as the perfect sacrifice. The meticulous preparation, orchestrated by Jesus' divine foreknowledge, highlights that His sacrifice was not a random event but the culmination of God's eternal plan, "according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Definite Plan")). The old covenant Passover, with its animal sacrifice, served as a type and shadow, now fulfilled in Christ, who is our [Passover lamb, sacrificed for us](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb"). Thus, the disciples' obedience in preparing the physical space for the Passover meal ultimately prepared the way for the spiritual reality of the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's body and blood, offered for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life ([Matthew 26:26-28](/matthew/26-26-28 "Matthew 26:26-28 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 21:33

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 19:32

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

John 2:5

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do [it].

John 11:40

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?