The Passover Meal/Last Supper Location: Jesus’ Mysterious Instructions

When the time came for the Passover Meal to be observed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him where He wished them to make the preparations for that occasion. Jesus’ answer was not straight-forward, but rather mysterious. Mark 14:13-15 tell us, “And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ “And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” Why didn’t Jesus simply name a location, or give the name of an acquaintance, someone known to the disciples? What was the significance of the man carrying a pitcher of water? [This was considered woman’s work in Jesus’ day, and so this would have been highly unusual.]

There was much Jesus needed to teach the apostles before His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. In John, chapter 14, Jesus begins with assurance, and the promise of a dwelling place in heaven with Him. Throughout the next several chapters, the topics Jesus shares with the apostles [and with us] are many and varied. He speaks of His oneness with the Father several times. Jesus tells them that belief in Him would result in them doing the works He did, and that they would do even greater works. Jesus addresses obedience, and the resulting love of the Father because of that obedience. Prayer is referred to several times, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, and His presence and work are also referred to. “Abiding” in Him is stressed, with the warning that those failing to do so will suffer serious consequences. Jesus issues several commandments, chief of which is the commandment to love one another. Jesus begins the 16th chapter with a warning of coming persecution; He ends it on almost the same note, but closes with the call to courage. And the entire 17th chapter is Jesus’ prayer – to be glorified with the glory He previously had before the incarnation; for the disciples, who would carry on the gospel ministry after His resurrection and ascension; and for those who would become believers, that they would be unified.

So, why the secrecy in designating a location? Jesus’ omniscience is evident here, as Jesus knows the intention of Judas to betray Him. The account in Matthew’s gospel describes the previous conversation between Judas and the chief priests. “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out to him 30 pieces of silver [Matt 26:14-15]. Matthew 26:16 tells us, “From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus. ” Had Jesus named a specific location, or the name of a disciple with whom Judas was familiar, Judas could easily have then gone back to the chief priests and revealed the information, and the temple guards could have arrested Jesus before the Passover Meal. Jesus would have been unable to teach what we read in chapters 14-16, which would have been a loss to us, and we would not have the prayer recorded in John 17. Jesus would also have failed to celebrate the Passover Meal, which He used as a springboard for instituting the Lord’s Supper, or Eucharist, the central focus of worship in many churches today.

Jesus well knew that the 12 needed these things, as do we. The information and understanding imparted by these chapters, and the institution of the Lord’s Supper, served them well, and has served believers and leaders throughout church history.

All scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible.


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