WHAT ABOUT MATTHEW 26:17???

Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 

(Matthew 26:17 NKJ)

This verse states, “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where will You that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

What specific day does this verse speak of? Many would conclude by reading the verse that it is talking about the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a high Holy Day. Let’s examine this idea.

The King James Version italicizes the words “day” and “feast of.” Any time you see italicized words in the KJV, this tells you that these words were not found in the original texts (in this case, the original Greek). Italicized words were added by translators either to clarify the English, or because they thought it necessary to aid the overall meaning. A better translation of this verse is “Now [at] the first of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where will You that we prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

The Greek word translated “first” is protos. It means the “foremost in time,” “foremost in order,” “beginning” or “to go before.” This precisely describes how the Passover always precedes or goes before the Days of Unleavened Bread. Leviticus 23:5-6 makes this pattern unmistakably clear.

God considers the previous day over, and a new one beginning, at sunset (Lev. 23:32). The conversation between Christ and the disciples took place at sunset on the 13th, the beginning of the 14th. Christ would introduce the New Testament Passover later that evening (Matt. 26:20).

Therefore, this verse is not referring to the Holy Day beginning the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It actually refers to the day before that, the 14th of Abib, also known as Passover day. This day is the final day in which to prepare for the upcoming Feast of Unleavened Bread, by putting all leavened bread out of the home (Ex. 12:18-19).

As a result, many in that day came to consider Passover day part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, tells us that the eight-day spring festival period was commonly referred to as “the days of Unleavened Bread.” He also confirms that Passover day was the 14th—not the 15th, which is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, beginning at sunset (Antiquities of the Jews). Luke 22:1 also tells us that the word Passover was also often interchanged with the Days of Unleavened Bread, referring to the entire eight days.

So, Matthew 26:17 refers to the beginning of the 14th of Abib—Passover—not the 15th. Because translators did not understand what we have covered here, they mistakenly inserted “feast of.”

What does God command us to do during the Days of Unleavened Bread? Exodus 13:6-10; Deuteronomy 16:3-4. Were the Days of Unleavened Bread only to be kept for a limited time? Exodus 12:17.

Does God command that the first day and seventh day of Unleavened Bread be observed as Holy Days—times of commanded assembly? Leviticus 23:4-8; Numbers 28:17-18, 25.

Did Jesus’ parents keep the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread? Luke 2:41-43. Did Jesus observe the Days of Unleavened Bread as an adult? Mark 14:1-2, 12-16.

Does the New Testament contain an explicit command to observe the Days of Unleavened Bread? I Corinthians 5:7-8. Did the apostles observe the Days of Unleavened Bread after Christ’s Resurrection? Acts 12:3; 20:6.

How does Egypt play a significant role in the meaning of these days? What does Egypt symbolize? Revelation 11:8; Hebrews 11:24-27. How was Israel treated in Egypt? Exodus 1:11, 13-14 and 2:23.

In Revelation 11:8, the great city (referring to Jerusalem—Revelation 16:19) in its sinful state was spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt.

Where did the Israelites begin their exodus out of Egypt, and how did they get to the edge of the Red Sea? Numbers 33:1-7; Exodus 14:1-2.

As Israel headed south, did God cause Pharaoh to have a change of heart? Exodus 14:8. Did the people of Israel panic upon learning that they were trapped by the Egyptians? Exodus 14:10-12.

How did Israel escape deadly entrapment by the Egyptians? Exodus 14:13-16.

Did the apostle Paul have to address a particularly grievous sin in Corinth around the time of the Days of Unleavened Bread? I Corinthians 5:1. Did the brethren, who tolerated such sin, consider themselves to be especially forgiving and righteous? I Corinthians 5:2. What did Paul command be done with the offender in this matter? I Corinthians 5:4-5. What did he say someone in this puffed up condition should do? I Corinthians 5:6-7.

Having put away old leavening, both physically and spiritually, what did Paul command brethren to do next? I Corinthians 5:8.

Did Christ observe the Days of Unleavened Bread as an adult? Mark 14:1-2, 12-16.

Verses 1-2 pertain to the planning of Christ’s enemies to arrest Him. They were well aware that He would be observing the Days of Unleavened Bread. Verses 12-16 show how Christ directed His disciples in arranging for the Passover meal. Passover was observed prior to these days. The same God who commanded Passover to be kept forever also commanded that the Days of Unleavened Bread be kept forever.

Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' (Mark 14:14 NKJ)


So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. (Mark 14:16 NKJ)


His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (Luke 2:41 NKJ)


And He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat." (Luke 22:8 NKJ)


Then you shall say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?" ' (Luke 22:11 NKJ)


So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. (Luke 22:13 NKJ)


Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; (Luke 22:15 NKJ)


Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. (John 2:23 NKJ)


Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. (John 13:1 NKJ)


"But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?" (John 18:39 NKJ)


Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. (1 Corinthians 5:7 NKJ)