After Jesus' anointing at the house of Simon in Bethany, the next event, according to Matthew and Mark, took place on Thursday, described as "the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover" (Mark 14:12). This refers, of course, to the sacrifice of the paschal lamb occurring on that afternoon, before the official opening of the feast at sunset. When the disciples asked what they should do in preparation for the Passover, he sent two of them to the city with specific instructions. They would find a man bearing a pitcher of water, who would guide them to a certain house. There they would be shown the place of honor, a large upper room furnished and ready for his use as he observed the Passover with his friends.
Obedient to his directions, they preceded him into the city and completed the arrangements. Thus it came about that, as night fell, the Nazarene and his apostles gathered for their memorable meal together on the evening before his crucifixion. (See Matt. 26:17-20; Mark 14:12-17; Luke 22:7-14; cf. Ex. 12:1-28.)
The Passover was a formal meal; preparations would be necessary for the specified food and wine and for the religious observance it denoted. This has led some to think that the Master knew the host and had already made all the preliminary plans, including the unmistakable signal, a man carrying a pitcher of water, conspicuous in a land where this was done by women. According to a tradition, the house was the home of John Mark, son of one Mary, and author of the second Gospel (see Acts 12:12). In any event, the host had evidently gone to some length to have the room comfortably appointed for their use.
