Matthew 26:17,18 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Now, the first day of the feast, &c.— We learn from Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7 that this was done the very day on which the paschal lamb was killed; for, though the feast of unleavened bread did not, properly speaking, begin till the 15th of the first month, as it is termedin Leviticus 23:5-6. Numbers 28:16-17.) yet they began to abstain from leavened bread on the evening of the 14th day. The passover [το πασχα] means the paschal lamb; for the word is often used to denote the lamb itself, which was killed and eaten during the celebration of this solemnity. Into the city, means Jerusalem by way of eminence. The phrase to such a man, implies that Jesus named the person to whom they were sent; though the Evangelists have not thought it of importance to mention his name. See Mark 14:13 and Luke 22:10. My time is at hand, seems to mean, "the time of my sufferings and death;" for every body knew that the time of eating the passover was near. I will keep the passover, means, "I will eat the paschal lamb." It was customary for the inhabitants of Jerusalem to prepare rooms, tables, &c. for strangers to celebrate this festival; at which time, as appears by the Talmudists, the houses were not to be let, but were of common right for any one to eat the passover in. The Jews used to prepare the place in which they intended to eat the passover the night before, as they do at present. Their chief solicitude in their preparation consists in searching after any leavened bread, and their scrupulousness goes so far as to pick up the least crumb they can find. After this they make the beds or couches on which they recline, furnish their room, and dress their meat. See the notes onExod. 12: and Calmet's Dictionary under the word Passover.