Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 26:18. It’s a really important part of Jesus’s teachings leading up to his crucifixion. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is telling the disciples – his followers – that he’s going to be brutally killed soon. He’s anticipating a very painful and dramatic event. Let's unpack it word by word: “And he said…” : This indicates Jesus is speaking directly to his followers. “…Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him…” : Jesus is telling them to go to a specific person – someone who will be experiencing intense suffering and betrayal. He’s calling out him – Jesus himself. “The Master saith…” : This is a very important phrase. "Master" refers to God, but in this context, it means Jesus. It's like saying, “Jesus tells us…” “…I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.” : This is the core message. Jesus is going to lead his followers – specifically, his 12 apostles – to a Passover meal in Jerusalem. Here’s what he’s promising: Passover: Passover is a Jewish holiday celebrating freedom and deliverance from slavery. At thy house: This means they're going to stay at the house of the Jewish person (likely a wealthy or influential one) who is about to be targeted by Jesus. With my disciples: Jesus is entrusting his followers with this task, giving them a responsibility and support. Putting it all together – The Meaning: Jesus is essentially saying: "I’m going to die soon. I'm going to be brutally killed. But I'm going to protect the Passover meal for you. You need to go to this person in Jerusalem, and I’ll be with you." Why it’s important: This verse sets up a huge conflict and foreshadowing for what's coming. It shows Jesus is aware of his impending death and is preparing for it by entrusting his followers with a crucial task – to protect the Passover meal. It’s a powerful message about trust, responsibility, and the anticipation of suffering. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Talk about its significance within the larger context of Jesus's teachings?