COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 150
“ Mark 14:12 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? 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. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 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.”
Mark 14:12-16; Matt 26:17-19; Luke 22:7-13)
THE FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ARRIVES
INTRODUCTION
At this point, Jesus will spend no more time with the multitudes. He will not return to the Temple. With the single exception of Malchus, there will be no more healings, no more public discourses or questions answered. As the time when He would lay down His life approached, He limited His public exposure to Judaea, then Jerusalem and the Temple, and then Bethany. One can sense that He was gathering all of His powers and focusing them on the commission delivered to Him – to lay down His life and take it up again. The time has now arrived when that, and the preparation of His disciples for it, will be His solitary focus. Among other things, this confirms that meeting the needs of the people was not the reason for Him coming into the world. While He did go about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, there was a higher agenda driving that activity than a mere interest in helping people. His great compassion did move Him to do this, but now all of that must give way to a higher purpose, and meeting the more significant need of humanity. What He is now preparing to do will have an eternal impact. It will influence heaven as well as earth, and God as well as mankind. The events that follow are the ones that must shape our thinking about Jesus, whom we do now know “after the flesh” (2 Cor 5:16).
THE DISCIPLES INQUIRE OF JESUS
“ Mark 14:12 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?”
THE FIRST DAY OF UNLEAVENED BREAD. The first day of unleavened bread would begin on the evening of the Thursday of the Passover week (the 14th day of the month Abib (before captivity – Ex 13:4, and Nisan after captivity – Esth 3:7) – Ex 12:6,18; Lev 23:5; Num 9:2-3; 28:16; Josh 5:10; 2 Chron 30:15; 2 Chron 35:1; Ezra 6:19; Ezek 45:21). The Passover occurred on the fourteenth day, and the seven days following it were called the “feast of unleavened bread” (Ex 12:17; 23:15; 34:18; Lev 23:6) This was the first month of the year, established as such because of their deliverance from Egypt (Ex 12:2). Commencing with the fifteenth day of the first month, unleavened bread was eaten for seven days, including the day the passover lamb was eaten (Ex 12:15; Lev 23:6). The Jewish year was thus shaped around their deliverance from Egypt. Their first month corresponded to a period in March-April of our months – Springtime, when new life begins to appear.
I cannot help but observe the exactness of the details of the Passover. Those with a penchant for generalities are, in that preference, at variance with the very nature of the Lord. It is a human weakness that the more generality, casualness, and informality that are, the less the heart and mind are involved. I am aware that there is the danger of mere formality, as seen in the scribes, Pharisees, and elders of the Jews. However, mere formality was not the nature of the Passover feast. It was associated with a lively remembrance of a real deliverance.
WHEN THEY KILLED THE PASSOVER. The Israelites killed the passover lamb on the evening before their exodus from Egypt (Ex 12:6). On that first Passover night, death was the theme throughout all of Egypt. Either the firstborn of every house was slain by the angel of the Lord, or a substitute lamb was slain by the Israelites. Now, in the time of our text, fifteen hundred years have passed since the original Passover. Yet, it is still being observed with all of the precision instituted at its beginning. There is no indication that the feast had been updated, modernized, or otherwise corrupted. That circumstance alone is most remarkable.
WHERE SHALL WE GO AND PREPARE? Observe that there is no question in the disciple’s minds what Jesus will do at this time. As busy as He was, the thought did not occur to them that he would overlook a holy feast. At this time, they were unaware of the death that He was going to accomplish in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31), even though He had often spoken of it to them (Matt 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19,28; 26:2). Now, His disciples know what He is going to do. The only question is where it will take place. It is also obvious that they plan on being with Him for the Passover meal.
THAT THOU MAYEST EAT THE PASSOVER. When Israel was delivered from Egypt, they were required to eat the Passover Lamb. They were to est on the night they were delivered. The lamb was to be roasted with fire, and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Ex 12:8). None of it could be eaten raw, nor boiled in water. Further, it had to be roasted whole, with its head, feet, and entrails. All of it was to be consumed. If any of it was not eaten, it was to be burned with fire, with no part of it remaining until the morning – in other words, no evidence of it must remain in Egypt (Ex 12:9-10). It was also to be eaten with haste, with their loins girded for travel, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hands (Ex 12:11).
Now, over 1,500 years later, the feast will be observed, and the Lamb of God will participate in it. This will be the last Passover meal He will ever eat, and He will transform the occasion into a new feast, with the remembrance of another deliverance.
Both Matthew and Mark emphasize that the disciples referred to Jesus Himself eating the passover lamb and meal (Matt 26:17; Mk 14:12). Luke relates that their question was preceded by a word from Jesus: “Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.” It was then that the disciples asked, “Where wilt thou that we prepare?” (Luke 22:7-8). Luke also adds that this was the time when “the passover must be killed.” This expression referred to more than the traditional passover lamb. During this Passover feast, “Christ our Passover” would be sacrifice for us all (1 Cor 5:7).
THE FRAMEWORK OF SALVATION’S ACCOMPLISHMENT. Observe how the types and shadows of the Old Covenant are the framework in which the salvation of God would be accomplished. The holy associations developed under the Law and the Prophets would not be mere literary devices, but would be lived out. The sacrifice of Christ would be carried out in a manner that was conducive to remembrance and edification. That is, the reason for His death would be accented rather than the death itself – just as it was with the Passover feast. Even under the Law, God did not intend for observances to be perfunctory – superficial, effortless, and in mere ceremony. All of this will be abundantly confirmed during the Passover these disciples will prepare. It will certainly not be a mere ceremony.
HE SENDS TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES
“ 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.”
HE SENDETH TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES. Matthew makes no mention of the number of disciples Jesus sent to prepare the Passover. Mark says He sent two of them. Luke tells us who they were: “Peter and John” (Lk 22:8). These two disciples are often mentioned together. Following the day of Pentecost they went up together to the Temple “at the hour of prayer.” During that occasion, they healed a man who was lame from birth, and powerfully preached to the people (Acts 3:1-11). The enemies of the faith took note of Peter and John, concluding that they “had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). The apostles in Jerusalem also sent Peter and John to the city of Samaria after they had heard of the whole city had received the word of God, which was preached to them by Philip (Acts 8:14).
In Christ, there is not an equality, as ordinarily perceivced, among the people. Duties and privileges are vouchsafed to individuals according to Divine discretion, as is confirmed in this text. Further, the disciples seemed to sense this, and therefore inquired concerning the duty at hand. This same mentality surfaced when the selection was made to fill the office vacated by Judas. After they had selected two qualified men, they prayed, “show whether of these two man Thou hast chosen” (Acts 1:24). Peter also referred to this manner of the Kingdom when speaking of the Gentiles first hearing the Gospel. “God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7).
A significant number of church squabbles and expressions of competitiveness – if not all of them – could be easily resolved if men recognized and yielded to this principle. As the body of Christ grows up into Him in all things (Eph 4:15), it will become readily apparent that certain individuals are being Divinely commissioned for special works.
GO YE INTO THE CITY. The “city” of reference is Jerusalem, for there is where the Lord had placed His name, and there is where the Passover feast was held. That is where king Josiah established the feast to be held (2 Kgs 23:23; 2 Chron 35:1). Hezekiah also renewed the celebration of the Passover in Jerusalem (2 Chron 30:1-2,5). Mary and Joseph, together with young Jesus, also went to Jerusalem to observe the Passover (Lk 2:41). During His ministry, Jesus also observed the Passover there (John 2:13,23). At the time of our text, there were also many people who had come out of the country to Jerusalem in readiness for the Passover (John 11:55). It was also prophesied that Jerusalem was the place where a fountain would be opened “for sin and uncleanness” – a clear reference to the atoning death of Christ (Zech 13:1). Both Isaiah and Micah prophesied the Gospel would issue forth from Jerusalem (Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2).
There is a principle to be seen here. There is a certain exactness inherent in the Kingdom of God that does not allow men the freedom to alter revealed manners. While I understand that care must be taken not to adopt lifeless routine, care must also be taken not to allow men more liberty than God intends. Some, for example, have chosen to alter certain matters on which the Lord has spoken. Baptism is a case in point. Although it is likened to a burial, and those who were baptized went down into the water and came out of it, some have felt free tp adopt sprinkling and pouring as forms of baptism. Others have approached the Lord’s Supper as though what men eat and drink at the table was of no consequence. Although the purpose for saints meeting together has been clearly stated to be edification, others have felt they could come together for other purposes. However, you will find no such thinking among the disciples. Their time with Jesus had moved them to think in a different manner, with a strict regard to the will of the Lord Jesus.
THERE SHALL MEET YOU A MAN. Matthew’s Gospel, referring to the disciples final destination, reads, “Go into the city to such a man” (Matt 26:17). Both Mark and Luke say they would first meet a man who was “bearing a pitcher of water” (Mk 14:13; Lk 22:10). This man, Jesus said, would “meet” them. Luke says he would meet them when they “entered into the city.”
I am impressed with the necessity of alertness in anything Jesus tells His people to do. Peter and John are going into the city of Jerusalem, which was anything but a hamlet. In fact, at this time, the city was probably filled with Jewish pilgrims who had come to observe the Passover feast. Historians estimate that Jerusalem had about 25,000 citizens during the time of Jesus, with the population swelling to well over 100,000 during the Feast days. That means that the population of Jerusalem at the time Peter and John went there was probably between the size of Springfield and Independence Missouri. In that crowd, they would be met by “a man.”
FOLLOW HIM. The man who would meet them was not the one to whom they would speak. They were to follow him to the house where he was apparently carrying the pitcher of water. Notice the details Jesus spells out. Their destination would be identified in stages, and would be made known to them while they were in the process of going there.
HE WILL SHOW YOU A LARGE FURNISHED UPPER ROOM
“ 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.”
THE GOODMAN OF THE HOUSE. Peter and John were to follow the man carrying a pitcher of water until he entered a certain house. Then, and only then, they were to address “the goodman of the house.” The “goodman” was the “master” NKJV or “owner” NIV of the house.
THE MASTER SAYS. Other versions read, “the Teacher says,” NKJV/NASB/NIV/NRSV The word from which “Master” is translated means instructor or teacher. Some versions read, “the Rabbi says.” CSB/MRD/WEYMOUTH It is interesting, to say the least, that Jesus referred to Himself as “the Teacher.” That is an aspect of His Person with which relatively few are acquainted. You do not often confront people who think of Jesus as the Teacher. That, of course, is a term that is the counterpart of “disciple.” Jesus Himself urged people who labored and were heavy laden to “learn” from Him (Matt 11:28). Paul spoke to the churches about being “taught by Him” (Eph 4:21). The Gospels refer to Jesus in this capacity more than forty times.
It is arresting to consider that Jesus did not tell His disciples to refer to Him as the Lord, or the miracle worker, or even as the Prophet from Nazareth. We are not told the name of the “goodman of the house,” or if the disciples were acquainted with him. It is sufficient to know that he was instantly obedient, responding whole-heartedly to the word of the Teacher.
I SHALL EAT WITH MY DISCIPLES. The “guest chamber” was, what we would call, a “guest room,” NKJV or the “lodging.” The message is clear – Jesus is going to observe the Passover with His disciples – not the many who followed Him (John 6:60-61,66), but “His twelve disciples” (Matt 10:1; 11:1; 20:17). Later, in his narrative of the Passover meal, Luke refers to the “disciples” with Him as “the twelve apostles” (Lk 22:15). Here we are seeing a Savior who, in the most critical hour, prefers to be with His disciples. Matthew’s account reads, “My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with My disciples” (Matt 26:18).
We do not know if arrangements had been made before or not. If so, this was a mere formality. If not, we are being exposed to what real followers of Jesus do when His will is made known to them. It seems to me that this is the preferable view.
HE WILL SHOW. Jesus tells Peter and John that the owner of the house will show them “a large upper room furnished and prepared.” Other versions read “furnished and ready,” NASB “with a table and seats,” BBE “completely furnished,” GWN “furnished with couches, all prepared,” NJB “already set up,” NLT and “furnished [with carpets and with dining couches properly spread] and ready.” AMPLIFIED The place will be ready, but the feast will not. That will remain to be done. However, the place in which it will be done will require no further preparation.
As is characteristic of the Lord, the place to which He brings people is always ready to receive them. This Divine quality is made known in Jesus’ words concerning another place for which His people are being readied: “I go to prepare a place for you . . . that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). This is a glad word to those who have faith.
THERE MAKE READY FOR US. Other versions read, “Make preparations for us there,” NIV and“Get everything ready for us there.” GWN It appears Jesus did not give them further instructions concerning the preparations. This means that they were familiar with what needed to be done. Their lives had, in fact, been shaped around the ordinances of the Lord.
AND THEY MADE READY THE PASSOVER. Mark says the disciples found everything just as Jesus said, and “made ready the Passover.” His instructions, like all of His commands, provided the indications that would confirm they were where they ought to be. Matthew says “the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them” (Matt 26:19). I do not believe you will ever find these twelve disciples refusing to do what Jesus required of them. They did not balk like Jonah did at the first. If this assessment is correct, men were being introduced to the extent of being willing in the day of the Redeemer’s power (Psa 110:3). Earlier, when Jesus sent His disciples to get a colt, the owner was willing, as well as the disciples. Now, not only are His disciples again willing, but the owner of the house is as well. This is one of the marks of a genuine disciple – willingness!
We are not sure what was required to make the preparations for the Passover meal. When it was first instituted, preparations required, 1 the killing and roasting of the Passover lamb, 2 the preparation of unleavened bread, and 3 the preparation of bitter herbs. We will learn from what occurred later that 4 the preparing of “the fruit of the vine” was also required (Mk 14:25), as well as 5 something into which bread could be dipped, causing it to become “sop” (John 13:26). To say the least, considerable was required for the preparations, and Peter and John simply did it. There is no extensive description of the procedures involved. It is simply stated that, unlike king Saul (1 Sam 15:13), they did what the Lord told them to do. It is a blessed day when those addressed by the Lord of glory simply do what He has required.