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?
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρᾳ
day
G2250
ἡμέρᾳ
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 23
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀζύμων
of unleavened bread
G106
ἀζύμων
of unleavened bread
Strong's:
G106
Word #:
6 of 23
unleavened, i.e., (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the passover week
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
the passover
G3957
πάσχα
the passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
9 of 23
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
ἔθυον
they killed
G2380
ἔθυον
they killed
Strong's:
G2380
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), i.e., (by implication) to sacrifice (properly, by fire, but genitive case); by extension to immolate (s
λέγουσιν
said
G3004
λέγουσιν
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ποῦ
Where
G4226
Ποῦ
Where
Strong's:
G4226
Word #:
16 of 23
as adverb of place; at (by implication, to) what locality
θέλεις
wilt thou
G2309
θέλεις
wilt thou
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
17 of 23
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀπελθόντες
that we go
G565
ἀπελθόντες
that we go
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
18 of 23
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Exodus 12:6And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.Exodus 12:18In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.Exodus 12:8And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
Historical Context
Passover commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12) when lamb's blood on doorposts caused death to "pass over." By Jesus's day, Passover required pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Families brought yearling male lambs "without blemish" to temple priests, who slaughtered them in afternoon sacrifice. The lamb was roasted whole and consumed with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Jesus's Passover (Thursday evening, Nisan 14/15) came hours before His crucifixion (Friday afternoon, Nisan 14). John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus died when Passover lambs were slain, perfectly fulfilling the typology.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Passover lamb's requirement of being "without blemish" illuminate Jesus's sinless perfection as our sacrificial substitute?
- What does Jesus's deliberate timing of the Last Supper at Passover reveal about His intentional fulfillment of Old Testament typology?
- How should understanding Jesus as "our Passover lamb" transform your view of communion and what His death accomplished?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The first day of unleavened bread (τῇ πρώτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τῶν ἀζύμων, tē prōtē hēmera tōn azymōn) refers to Nisan 14, when leaven was removed from homes before Passover. When they killed the passover (ὅτε τὸ πάσχα ἔθυον, hote to pascha ethyon)—thousands of lambs were slaughtered in the temple on Passover eve (afternoon of Nisan 14), then consumed that evening (beginning of Nisan 15). Where wilt thou that we go and prepare—disciples seek Jesus's instructions for the most significant meal in Jewish calendar.
This Passover holds cosmic significance: Jesus will institute the New Covenant meal replacing Passover. The timing isn't coincidental—as Passover lambs were slain, Jesus ("our Passover," 1 Corinthians 5:7) would be crucified. The disciples' question about preparation contrasts with their ignorance of what Jesus was truly preparing for—His sacrificial death. Just as the original Passover marked Israel's exodus from Egyptian slavery through lamb's blood, Jesus's Passover would accomplish exodus from sin's slavery through His blood.