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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 26:17 - 26:19
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_26:17-19
17Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 18And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." '" 19The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.
Mat_26:17 "the first day of Unleavened Bread" The exact chronology of the last week is confusing. Often the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and John (Joh_13:1; Joh_19:14; Joh_19:31; Joh_19:42) do not agree. This eight day feast involved two Sabbaths, Passover being the first (cf. Lev_23:4-8; Deu_16:8).
▣ "the disciples" Luk_22:8 identified Peter and John as these disciples.
▣ "Passover" It was eaten on Nisan 15 at 6:00 p.m. The exact day of the week varied year to year because of the Jewish lunar calendar (cf. Mat_26:20).
Mat_26:18 "to a certain man" Luk_22:10 says he was to be identified by "carrying a pitcher of water," an activity traditionally considered women's work.
NASB, NRSV,
NJB "My time is near"
NKJV "My time is at hand"
TEV "My hour has come"
This was a cryptic phrase used by Jesus for His time of rejection, betrayal, and crucifixion (cf. Joh_2:4; Joh_7:6; Joh_7:8; Joh_7:30; Joh_8:20; Joh_12:23; Joh_13:1; Joh_17:1).
▣ "at your house with My disciples" Many believe this was the home of John Mark who was
1. Barnabas'cousin (Col_4:10)
2. missionary helper (Act_12:25; Act_13:5; Act_13:13; Act_15:37; Act_15:39)
3. the scribe of Peter's memoirs, the Gospel of Mark (1Pe_5:13)
It is also surmised that this was the location of the upper room (cf. Act_1:13; Act_12:12), where the disciples waited for the Spirit to come (Act_1:5; Act_2:1).