Book of Mark - Chapter 14 - Verse 12

Here, the disciples of Jesus were asking him where they should go to prepare for the Passover meal. This verse is significant because it marks the beginning of the Passover celebration, a key event in the Jewish calendar. The Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus. It is a time of remembrance and thanksgiving for God's deliverance of his people. In the New Testament, the Passover also takes on a new meaning as Jesus transforms the traditional meal into the Last Supper, where he institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist. This passage highlights the disciples' desire to honor this sacred tradition and their willingness to serve Jesus by making preparations for the meal. It also foreshadows the events that will soon unfold during Jesus' final days on earth.

In the theological interpretation of this verse, the significance of the first day of unleavened bread and the preparation for the Passover meal is crucial. The unleavened bread symbolizes the purity and holiness required in celebrating the Passover, representing the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt. The killing of the Passover lamb was a reminder of God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery. The disciples' question to Jesus about where to prepare for the Passover meal shows their commitment to following his instructions and their desire to honor this important tradition. Word studies on terms such as "Passover" reveal its origins in the Hebrew word "Pesach," meaning to pass over or skip, which refers to the angel of death passing over the homes of the Israelites protected by the blood of the lamb. Understanding these theological concepts and word meanings enriches our understanding of the historical and spiritual significance of this verse.