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Matthew 26:17

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¶ 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?

Now {G1161} the first {G4413} day of the feast of unleavened bread {G106} the disciples {G3101} came {G4334} to Jesus {G2424}, saying {G3004} unto him {G846}, Where {G4226} wilt thou {G2309} that we prepare {G2090} for thee {G4671} to eat {G5315} the passover {G3957}?

On the first day for matzah, the talmidim came to Yeshua and asked, "Where do you want us to prepare your Seder?"

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?”

Now on the firstdayof unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?

Commentary

Matthew 26:17 marks a pivotal moment in the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, initiating the preparations for what would become known as the Last Supper. This verse sets the scene for the most significant meal in Christian history, highlighting the disciples' readiness to follow Jesus' instructions concerning the celebration of the Passover.

Historical and Cultural Context

The verse explicitly states "the first day of the feast of unleavened bread." This refers to the time when leaven (yeast) was removed from Jewish homes in preparation for the Passover meal. The Passover (Hebrew: Pesach) was one of the most important annual festivals for the Jewish people, commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, specifically when the angel of death "passed over" the homes marked with the blood of a lamb (see Exodus 12:13). The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed Passover, lasting seven days, during which only unleavened bread (matzah) was eaten, symbolizing the haste with which Israel left Egypt.

The disciples' question, "Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?" indicates their understanding of the religious obligation and their anticipation of the traditional meal. This sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His divine foresight and make specific arrangements for this sacred occasion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Appointment and Preparation: The disciples' inquiry shows their obedience and desire to fulfill the Mosaic Law. More profoundly, Jesus' subsequent instructions (in the verses that follow) reveal that this Passover meal is not merely a custom but a divinely appointed event, part of His preordained plan.
  • Jesus' Sovereignty and Foreknowledge: Jesus knew exactly when and where the Passover was to be eaten, even before the disciples asked. This underscores His sovereign control over His final days and the fulfillment of prophecy, even amidst impending betrayal.
  • Transition from Old to New Covenant: This Passover meal would be transformed by Jesus into the institution of the Lord's Supper, symbolizing His body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins, thereby establishing the new covenant in His blood. The old Passover looked back to deliverance from Egypt; the new looks forward to salvation through Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "Passover" is pascha (πάσχα), directly derived from the Hebrew Pesach. It signifies the "passing over" or "protection" from judgment. This term is crucial as Jesus Himself would become the ultimate "Passover Lamb," whose sacrifice delivers believers from spiritual death.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:17 reminds believers of the importance of spiritual preparation and readiness to follow Christ's leading. Just as the disciples were prepared to make arrangements for the Passover, we are called to prepare our hearts for communion with God and to participate in the spiritual feast He offers. It also encourages us to reflect on the immense significance of the Last Supper, recognizing it not just as a historical event, but as the foundation for our ongoing remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and the promise of His return.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:7 (5 votes)

    ¶ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

  • Luke 22:13 (5 votes)

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

  • Mark 14:12 (4 votes)

    ¶ And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

  • Mark 14:16 (4 votes)

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

  • Exodus 12:18 (4 votes)

    In the first [month], on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.

  • Exodus 12:20 (4 votes)

    Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

  • Exodus 12:6 (3 votes)

    And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.