Matthew 26 18

Matthew 26:18 kjv

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.

Matthew 26:18 nkjv

And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." ' "

Matthew 26:18 niv

He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'?"

Matthew 26:18 esv

He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"

Matthew 26:18 nlt

"As you go into the city," he told them, "you will see a certain man. Tell him, 'The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.'"

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 18 Meaning

Matthew 26:18 records Jesus’ specific instruction to two disciples to prepare for the Passover meal in Jerusalem. He directs them to a particular, unnamed man, relaying a message that His divinely appointed "time" for suffering and sacrifice is imminent. Jesus expresses His intention to observe this final Passover meal with His disciples at this chosen location, thereby orchestrating the significant event of the Last Supper with foreknowledge and divine authority.

Matthew 26 18 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray Jesus (Matt 26:14-16) and directly before the account of the Last Supper (Matt 26:20-29). The broader context of Matthew 26 details the unfolding events leading to Jesus' crucifixion: the chief priests and elders conspiring against Jesus (vv. 1-5), the anointing at Bethany (vv. 6-13) which foreshadows His burial, Judas's betrayal, and finally, the preparations for the Passover. Historically and culturally, Passover was the most significant annual Jewish festival, commemorating their liberation from slavery in Egypt. Thousands of pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem, requiring intricate preparations for meals. The setting of the Last Supper, a private Upper Room, ensured a degree of secrecy, essential given the heightened tensions and Judas's betrayal. Jesus' instructions reveal His deliberate control over these events, aligning them with God's perfect timing.

Matthew 26 18 Word analysis

• And he said: Refers to Jesus. This marks the beginning of a direct command, emphasizing Jesus' active role and divine prerogative in orchestrating the final events leading to His crucifixion.
• Go into the city: Refers to Jerusalem, the customary place for observing the Passover meal. The Greek for "city" (polis) generally indicates a large, important town. The command implies immediate obedience from the disciples.
• to such a man: The Greek phrase is pros ton deina (πρὸς τὸν δεῖνα). Deina is an indefinite pronoun, akin to "so-and-so" or "a certain man," indicating an unnamed person. Its usage here signifies Jesus' pre-arranged divine plan and His omniscience—He knows precisely who this man is without needing to reveal his name to the disciples or to Judas. This also serves to protect the privacy and secrecy of the Passover gathering from those who sought to seize Jesus prematurely (compare Mark 14:13 and Luke 22:10-11, where a specific sign, a man carrying a water jar, is given, further indicating divine orchestration rather than a general open call).
• and say unto him: This shows that Jesus’ message is a direct, authoritative directive to be delivered precisely as stated, not interpreted or altered by the disciples.
• The Master: The Greek is ho didaskalos (ὁ διδάσκαλος), meaning "the Teacher." This title acknowledges Jesus' authority and respected status. The fact that the unnamed host recognizes or accepts this title indicates a prior relationship, respect for Jesus, or the compelling nature of Jesus’ divine knowledge conveyed through the message.
• saith: Implies an ongoing, active declaration of authority, underscoring the immediate relevance and power of Jesus’ words.
• My time: The Greek is ho kairos mou (ὁ καιρός μου). Kairos here signifies a specific, opportune, or divinely appointed moment, contrasting with chronos (general time). This "time" refers to Jesus' passion—His suffering, crucifixion, and ultimately His glorification, the culmination of His earthly ministry. It emphasizes His sovereign control over the timing of His own death.
• is at hand: The Greek is engys estin (ἐγγύς ἐστιν), meaning "is near" or "is imminent." This phrase underscores the immediacy of the pivotal events about to unfold, particularly His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
• I will keep the passover: The Greek is poiō to Pascha (ποιῶ τὸ πάσχα), "I make" or "I do/perform the Passover." Jesus affirms His intention to participate in the traditional Jewish Passover meal for what would be the last time before fulfilling its ultimate antitype as the true Passover Lamb.
• at thy house: The Greek para soi (παρὰ σοί), "with you" or "at your place." This confirms the host’s house as the chosen, private location for this sacred event. The detail indicates prior divine arrangement rather than random selection.
• with my disciples: Emphasizes the communal nature of this final meal and Jesus’ intimate relationship with His closest followers. This private gathering allowed for the significant teachings and the institution of the New Covenant that would follow.

• "Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him": This entire phrase highlights Jesus' detailed, foreknowing, and authoritative instruction. The ambiguity of "such a man" is a protective measure against Judas's impending betrayal, ensuring the privacy of the Last Supper location.
• "The Master saith, My time is at hand": This pivotal statement combines Jesus' divine authority ("The Master saith") with His sovereign control over His appointed destiny ("My time is at hand"). It reveals His complete awareness of the impending culmination of His redemptive work and underscores the pre-determined nature of His sacrifice. This is a moment of profound revelation, indicating His willingness to walk into His suffering on His own terms.

Matthew 26 18 Bonus section

• Divine Orchestration: The discreet nature of Jesus' instructions—sending two disciples (Peter and John according to Luke 22:8) and giving them a specific sign rather than a direct address for the host—was likely a protective measure. It ensured the privacy of the Upper Room, preventing Judas Iscariot or other enemies from disrupting the crucial Last Supper before its divinely appointed time, allowing for the institution of the Eucharist without interference.
• The Unknown Host: Though unnamed in the Synoptics, early Christian tradition, and some scholarship, suggest he might have been a hidden disciple, a "secret believer," like Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea. His willingness to provide a large "upper room" (Mark 14:15; Luke 22:12) suggests a man of means and spiritual readiness, responding immediately to Jesus' implied authority conveyed through the disciples' message.
• Fulfillment and Transition: This Passover preparation represents the culmination of the Old Covenant rituals and simultaneously the threshold to the New. Jesus, as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7), transforms the meal from a commemoration of past deliverance into the anticipatory institution of the Eucharist, a symbol of His blood shed for a New Covenant of eternal redemption. The focus shifts from physical liberation to spiritual liberation from sin.

Matthew 26 18 Commentary

Matthew 26:18 provides a window into Jesus’ divine sovereignty and perfect timing. In the midst of the escalating plot to betray Him, Jesus is not caught by surprise but acts with deliberate control. His specific, almost enigmatic, instructions concerning the Passover preparation reveal His omniscience, knowing the exact man and location for this sacred event. The phrase "My time is at hand" signifies His conscious awareness that the long-foretold hour of His sacrifice has arrived, the kairos or appointed moment ordained by God. This passage quietly but powerfully underlines Jesus' full commitment to fulfill His messianic mission, not as a victim of circumstances, but as the Master of His own divine agenda, even unto death.