At this point, Mark begins that part of his narrative where he discusses what occurred during Jesus final meal with his disciples with: “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 may eat the Passover?’” (Mark 14:12). This has led many scholars to believe Jesus ate the Passover one day prior to its intended time,[1] because the Feast Day, the day the Passover was eaten, was on the 15th of the month, but the day they killed the Passover lamb, which was also the day of the crucifixion, was on the 14th of the month. Other scholars claim Jesus ate the Passover at the correct time and died on the evening of the 15th on the Feast Day![2] So, which is it? Did Jesus celebrate the Passover Feast Day on the 15th of the month, or did he do so a day early, or is there another explanation?
Clearly, John’s narrative shows the Lord was tried both by the Sanhedrin and Pilate on the 14th, the day before the Feast Day. Therefore, Jesus died on the same day, in the evening, at the very time when the Passover lamb was slain (Mark 15:34; Luke 23:44-46). Otherwise, how should we understand Paul’s declaration that “Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed!” (1Corinthians 5:7). How would that make sense, if Jesus was crucified at any other time than the moment the priest began to sacrifice the Pascal lambs in the Temple?
Therefore, Jesus disciples’ question (Mark 14:12) did, indeed, concern the Passover meal, which was to be eaten on the 15th, but they approached Jesus in the evening, just after sundown on the 14th day of the month, the first day when unleavened bread was to be eaten (Matthew 26:17; cp. Exodus 12:18). Nevertheless, it is important to understand that even those closest to Jesus didn’t know his itinerary! This is because, if Jesus was to be in control of events leading to his crucifixion, he had to be tight lipped regarding what he intended to do next, because Judas looked for an opportunity to turn him over to the Jewish authorities. While this did have to occur to fulfill prophecy, it had to be done at the right moment, too soon would have Jesus die prior to the time of the Pascal lamb’s sacrifice, and too late would have missed the mark, as well.
Notice Jesus’ reply (Mark 14:13-15). He still didn’t tell his disciple exactly where they needed to go. Rather, he mentioned a man carrying a jar of water. Since the man was performing a woman’s task (cp. Genesis 24:11-13), he would be spotted immediately by the disciples. So, they followed him, as instructed, to the place where they would dine, and they found it just as the Lord had told them (Mark 14:16). Thus, it becomes clear that Jesus had prearranged it all, no doubt just after he raised Lazarus from the dead, because he knew then that the Jewish authorities sought his life (cp. John 11:53-57).
After Peter and John made the necessary arrangements, which triggered the events to occur, Jesus and his disciples came to the upper room to dine at the beginning of the 14th of the first month, probably about an hour or two after sundown (Mark 14:16-17). Together, they ate their first meal during the Passover season, the disciples’ last meal with Jesus, but this was not the Passover Seder, to be eaten on the 15th of the month.[3]
During the meal, Jesus announced to all that he would be betrayed by one of them (Mark 14:18). Everyone, of course, was saddened and began to ask him: “Is it I?” And, Jesus replied it would be one of the Twelve! (Mark 14:19-20), and went on to say “it would have been good for that man, if he had not been born” (Mark 14:21). This has led some to believe this is proof of eternal punishment, but such a conclusion only expresses the ignorance of the interpreter. Jesus mentioned to the Pharisees that they were the children of those who slew the prophets, meaning the Pharisees were the disciples of murderers (Matthew 23:29-31). Birth in this context refers to becoming a disciple. Jesus claimed it would have been better for his betrayer, if he had not been one of the Twelve, because the greater judgment would come upon such a one (James 3:1; Matthew 7:1-2; 23:14).
Notice that Jesus singled out the Twelve, saying one of them would be his betrayer (Mark 14:20), implying there were other disciples present, besides the Twelve, and they, also, dined with him. In fact, since Luke claims Jesus sent out seventy disciples to preach the Gospel (Luke 10:1, 17), there may have been at least five tables including the one at which Jesus dined. If only the Twelve dined with him, the Lord wouldn’t have had to mention it was one of the Twelve (Mark 14:20). “One of you” (Mark 14:18) would have sufficed.
____________________________________________________________
[1] People’s New Testament Commentary names: “Pressense, Milman, Ellicott, Townsend, Alford, Neander, Farrar, and many other great authorities” who thought this was true.
[2] See Robertson’s Word Pictures, and Philip Schaff’s Popular Commentary at Matthew 26:17.
[3] See my previous study on Luke’s statement: ““And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15 KJV) – Did Jesus Eat the Passover Seder?
Smoodock's Blog 