Matthew 26:18
And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ὑπάγετε
Go
G5217
Ὑπάγετε
Go
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
4 of 30
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 30
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
7 of 30
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
πρὸς
at
G4314
πρὸς
at
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
8 of 30
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 30
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
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
16 of 30
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
at
G4314
πρὸς
at
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
22 of 30
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
ποιῶ
I will keep
G4160
ποιῶ
I will keep
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
24 of 30
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
the passover
G3957
πάσχα
the passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
26 of 30
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
27 of 30
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
John 7:6Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.John 17:1These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:John 13:1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.John 7:30Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.John 7:8Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.John 12:23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.Luke 22:53When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.Mark 5:35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?Matthew 26:2Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.Matthew 21:3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
Historical Context
Upper rooms were typically the largest space in Jerusalem homes, used for important gatherings. Wealthy homeowners would loan their upper rooms to pilgrims for Passover meals. The 'man bearing a pitcher of water' (Mark 14:13) was Jesus's cryptic sign, as water-carrying was typically women's work—a man doing it would stand out.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's reference to His 'appointed time' demonstrate His sovereign control even in betrayal?
- What does Jesus's protection of the meal location teach about wisdom in spiritual warfare?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
My time is at hand (ὁ καιρός μου ἐγγύς ἐστιν, ho kairos mou engys estin)—Jesus uses kairos (appointed time) not chronos (clock time). This is the divinely ordained hour for redemption, not mere calendar progression. His sovereign knowledge contrasts with the disciples' ignorance of what would unfold.
Such a man (τὸν δεῖνα, ton deina)—This indefinite reference may protect the host's identity from Judas, preventing premature arrest. Jesus's supernatural knowledge of the unnamed man's availability demonstrates His divine foreknowledge. The phrase I will keep the passover at thy house shows Jesus claiming the host's hospitality with messianic authority—the Master's word is sufficient.