Mark 14:12-18 | Session 54 | Dr. Randy White
Mark 14:12-26 | The Last Supper
Mark 14:12-17 | The Preparation
Verse 12 -
The timing of verse 12, which describes the day of the Last Supper, is crucial to understand. Without reading and harmonizing the accounts from other gospels, this passage in Mark could be misinterpreted.
Let's establish some solid parameters. First, Mark 15:42 states that Jesus' body was removed on "the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath." This was the same day as the crucifixion, setting a chronological anchor: Jesus died the day before the sabbath.
Now let's examine John 19:14, which specifies that it was not only the preparation for the sabbath (as in Mark 15:42), but also "the preparation of the passover." To reinforce this, John 18:28 notes that the Jewish leaders "went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover." This occurred on the day of the crucifixion, indicating they had not yet eaten the Passover.
Finally, we should remember that Jesus is the theological fulfillment of the Passover lamb (1 Cor. 5:7). Therefore, we would expect His death to coincide with the sacrifice of the Passover lamb.
Now let's move to verse 12, which introduces the beginning of the preparation for Passover by saying it was the "first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover." But in light of our previous discussion, how can this be? Remember, the days of unleavened bread start on the 15th of the month of Nisan, while "they killed the passover" on the 14th of Nisan. Therefore, "the first day of unleavened bread" is not actually "when they killed the passover." It seems that Mark 14:12 is using a Hebraism that, in practice, simply meant "it's time to start getting things ready for Passover."
While those of us who prefer a literal interpretation may feel uneasy about this, we must acknowledge that taking verse 12's timing literally creates conflicts with several other passages, including Mark 15:42, John 18:28, and John 19:14. This brings to mind the old maxim: "If the plain sense makes common sense, seek no other sense." In this case, the plain sense doesn't align with other accounts, so we must consider it a figure of speech rather than a literal statement.
Moving on from the timing issue, "his disciples" asked Jesus where He would like to have the upcoming Passover. We aren't told which disciples specifically, but it seems to be a general group inquiry. The group hadn't even chosen a location for the Passover meal, much less prepared for it.
Verse 13 -
Jesus instructed "two of his disciples," whom Luke 22:8 identifies as Peter and John. They were told to "meet a man bearing a pitcher of water." Luke 22:10 corroborates this detail, while Matthew 26:18 refers to him simply as "such a man," omitting the water pitcher description. This discrepancy might suggest heightened security measures, with the man's identity known only to Jesus, Peter, and John. While this doesn't rule out divine foreknowledge or a pre-arranged meeting, the passage doesn't necessarily require such an interpretation.
Verse 14 -
The disciples are instructed to ask the "goodman of the house" (a term also used in Luke's account, but not in Matthew's) for a room to observe the Passover. This vague description of the homeowner adds to the air of secrecy surrounding the preparations.
Given the lack of identity, one might wonder if this was someone of renown, like Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea. Alternatively, it may have simply been an unimportant detail and thus not included in the Biblical record.
Verses 15-16 -
Jesus describes the "guestchamber" mentioned in verse 14 as a "large upper room furnished and prepared" in verse 15. The disciples were instructed to make this room ready for the Passover meal. The fact that the disciples carried out the instructions and "found as he had said unto them" (v. 16) doesn't clarify whether this was a prophetic statement by Jesus or simply His knowledge of the situation. Moreover, the phrase "they made ready the passover" (v. 16) doesn't necessarily mean they killed the Passover lamb and prepared it for eating. In fact, this interpretation would lead to numerous contradictions in the crucifixion account. It's my belief that the Last Supper was simply Jesus' final meal before His crucifixion.
Verse 17 -
Now that it's 'evening,' we appear to be at the close of the 13th and the beginning of the 14th of Nisan, using Jewish reckoning. The Passover lamb would be killed during the daylight hours of the 14th of Nisan, with the meal eaten at the close of the 14th and beginning of the 15th.
Therefore, as previously stated, they are not about to have their Passover meal, but have arrived at the place that has been prepared for that meal the next day.
Jesus arrived at the room "with the twelve." Since Peter and John appeared to be there already, this could mean either "all of them were present" or that Peter and John had returned and accompanied Jesus and the remaining ten disciples back to the room.
