Mark 14:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

NIV: On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, 'Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?'

NASB: On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples *said to Him, 'Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?'

CSB: On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it? "

NLT: On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, 'Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?'

KJV: 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?

NKJV: Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”

The Passover is a single day that commemorates how God protected the Israelites during the tenth plague He inflicted upon Egypt. When God killed the firstborns of the Egyptians, He "passed over" the Israelites who had put the blood of a lamb over their doors per God's instructions (Exodus 12). The Passover is always celebrated on 14 Nisan (Leviticus 23:4–5). Directly following the Passover is the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6–8). By the time of Christ, "Passover" and "Feast of Unleavened Bread" are used interchangeably and collectively. So, while the Passover is not technically a part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, it is treated as such.

Over the history of Israel, the Mosaic law was lost and found again a few times. Feasts were forgotten and rediscovered,and specifics were altered. At this time, Galileans celebrate Passover as God ordained: in the evening of the 14th (Deuteronomy 16:6). Judeans, however, celebrate the next afternoon. Since Jews count the day from sunset to sunset, the 14th of Nisan encompasses Jesus' Passover meal with the disciples, the betrayal in the garden of Gethsemane, the crucifixion, and the burial.

The timing of the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection has been debated by theologians for centuries. Traditionally, Jesus is thought to have been crucified on Friday. Others say Wednesday makes more sense, since Jesus would have been in the tomb all of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: three literal and chronological days.

Thursday, also, is a possible option. He would be buried Thursday the 14th, right before evening. The 15th—Thursday evening to Friday evening—was a holiday Sabbath: the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The 16th—Friday evening to Saturday evening—was a regular Sabbath. This would place Jesus in the tomb three days—Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday— and three nights—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday—and explain why the women couldn't go to His tomb until Sunday.

All of these are possibilities. There are others that have more historical precedence behind them. Ultimately, of course, it doesn't matter what day of the week Jesus was crucified. What matters is that He was crucified, died, was buried, and most important He rose again.

Mark 14:12–21 depicts the evening of 14 Nisan, when Jesus and the disciples celebrate the Passover. This is an event Jesus has been earnestly looking forward to (Luke 22:15). After the traditional Jewish Passover, Jesus will transition into the new Lord's Supper. He will also identify Judas as His betrayer and dismiss him to coordinate His arrest with the priests (John 13:21–30). The other disciples are still curious as to when Jesus will liberate Israel. This account is also recorded in Matthew 26:17–25 and Luke 22:7–13, 21–23; John goes into great detail about other aspects, particularly about what Jesus teaches, in John 13—17.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.