Matthew 26:18

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.

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, Go {G5217} into {G1519} the city {G4172} to {G4314} such a man {G1170}, and {G2532} say {G2036} unto him {G846}, The Master {G1320} saith {G3004}, My {G3450} time {G2540} is {G2076} at hand {G1451}; I will keep {G4160} the passover {G3957} at {G4314} thy house {G4571} with {G3326} my {G3450} disciples {G3101}.

"Go into the city, to so-and-so," he replied, "and tell him that the Rabbi says, `My time is near, my talmidim and I are celebrating Pesach at your house.'"

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.’”

And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.

Matthew 26:18 records a pivotal moment just before Jesus's crucifixion, demonstrating His divine foreknowledge and sovereign control over events, even amidst impending betrayal and suffering. He sends two disciples (later identified as Peter and John in Luke's account) with a precise message to an unnamed man in Jerusalem, instructing them to prepare the Passover meal.

Context

This verse sets the stage for the Last Supper, which was the traditional Jewish Passover feast. Jesus and His disciples had arrived in Jerusalem, and the time for the annual celebration was at hand. The disciples had asked where they should prepare the Passover (Matthew 26:17), and Jesus's response here is strikingly specific, revealing an intimate knowledge of future events and even the private arrangements of others. This is not a casual instruction but a divinely orchestrated appointment, leading directly to the institution of the New Covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Sovereignty: Jesus knows exactly where the Passover will be held and orchestrates the arrangements. His statement, "My time is at hand," underscores His awareness of the precise moment for His ultimate sacrifice, a theme echoed in John 13:1. This demonstrates that His suffering was not an accident but part of God's predetermined plan.
  • Preparation for the Passover: The verse highlights the practical steps taken to observe this significant Jewish festival, which commemorated Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. For Jesus, this Passover would take on new meaning, pointing to His own redemptive work as the ultimate Passover Lamb.
  • The Master's Authority: The simple phrase, "The Master saith," carries immense authority. It's a command that the unnamed man immediately understands and obeys, indicating a prior relationship or a prophetic recognition of Jesus's status.
  • Impending Sacrifice: "My time is at hand" is a poignant declaration. It refers to the culmination of His earthly ministry, leading to His betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. This phrase signifies the appointed hour for His glorification through suffering.

Linguistic Insights

  • "The Master" (Greek: Didaskalos): This term means "teacher" or "instructor." It's a common title given to Jesus by His disciples and others who recognized His authority in teaching. Its use here reinforces His role as the authoritative guide for His disciples and for the man receiving the message.
  • "My time is at hand" (Greek: ho kairos mou engys estin): The word kairos refers to an appointed or opportune time, a specific moment in God's redemptive plan, rather than just chronological time (chronos). This emphasizes that Jesus's death was not a random event but a divinely ordained "hour" that He had spoken of throughout His ministry.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

  1. God's Sovereignty in Our Lives: Just as Jesus knew His "time" and orchestrated events, we can trust that God is sovereign over our lives, even in difficult seasons. Nothing takes Him by surprise.
  2. Obedience to the Master: The disciples' readiness to "Go into the city to such a man" demonstrates immediate obedience to Jesus's specific instructions, regardless of how unusual they might seem. Believers are called to similar trust and obedience.
  3. Intentionality in Ministry: Jesus approached His final hours with purpose and intentionality, even in preparing a meal. This reminds us to be purposeful in our service and worship, recognizing the sacredness of our calling.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 14:13

    And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

  • Mark 14:16

    And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

  • John 7:6

    Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.

  • John 13:1

    ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

  • John 17:1

    ¶ These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

  • John 7:30

    Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.

  • Luke 22:10

    And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

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