Matthew 26:20
New International Version
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.

New Living Translation
When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve.

English Standard Version
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.

Berean Standard Bible
When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples.

Berean Literal Bible
And evening having arrived, He was reclining with the twelve disciples.

King James Bible
Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

New King James Version
When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve.

New American Standard Bible
Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve.

NASB 1995
Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

NASB 1977
Now when evening had come, He was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

Amplified Bible
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.

Christian Standard Bible
When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When evening came, He was reclining at the table with the Twelve.

American Standard Version
Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples;

English Revised Version
Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When evening came, Jesus was at the table with the twelve apostles.

Good News Translation
When it was evening, Jesus and the twelve disciples sat down to eat.

International Standard Version
When evening came, Jesus was sitting at the table with the Twelve.

Majority Standard Bible
When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the Twelve.

NET Bible
When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve.

New Heart English Bible
Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now when the evening was come, he sat down with the twelve.

Weymouth New Testament
When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples,

World English Bible
Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And evening having come, He was reclining with the Twelve,

Berean Literal Bible
And evening having arrived, He was reclining with the twelve disciples.

Young's Literal Translation
And evening having come, he was reclining (at meat) with the twelve,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it being evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But when it was evening, he sat down with his twelve disciples.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when evening arrived, he sat at table with his twelve disciples.

New American Bible
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve.

New Revised Standard Version
When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when it was evening, he was reclining with his twelve disciples.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when it was evening he reclined with his twelve Disciples.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When the evening had come, he reclined at table with the twelve.

Godbey New Testament
And it being evening, He sat down at the table with the twelve.

Haweis New Testament
And when the evening was come, he sat down at table with the twelve.

Mace New Testament
The even being now come, he sat down with the twelve.

Weymouth New Testament
When evening came, He was at table with the twelve disciples,

Worrell New Testament
And, evening coming on, He was reclining at table with the twelve;

Worsley New Testament
And when the evening was come, He sat down with the twelve:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Preparing the Passover
19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples. 21And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.”…

Cross References
Mark 14:17
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.

Luke 22:14
When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles.

John 13:1-2
It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end. / The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

John 13:21-30
After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” / The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant. / One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side. ...

John 12:1-2
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, the hometown of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. / So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him.

Exodus 12:8
They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Exodus 12:11
This is how you are to eat it: You must be fully dressed for travel, with your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. You are to eat in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.

Exodus 12:46
It must be eaten inside one house. You are not to take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of the bones.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Zechariah 11:12-13
Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, / and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” / In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Acts 1:16-20
“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus. / He was one of our number and shared in this ministry.” / (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. ...

John 6:70-71
Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” / He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For although Judas was one of the Twelve, he was later to betray Jesus.

John 18:1-2
After Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where they entered a garden. / Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples.


Treasury of Scripture

Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

when.

Mark 14:17-21
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve…

Luke 22:14-16
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him…

John 13:21
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

he.

Exodus 12:11
And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.

Song of Solomon 1:12
While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

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Disciples Evening Jesus Lay Meat Reclining Sat Seated Sitting Table Twelve
Matthew 26
1. Jesus foretells his own death.
3. The rulers conspire against him.
6. The woman anoints his feet.
14. Judas bargains to betray him.
17. Jesus eats the Passover;
26. institutes his holy supper;
30. foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
36. prays in the garden;
47. and being betrayed by a kiss,
57. is carried to Caiaphas,
69. and denied by Peter.














When evening came
In Jewish tradition, the day begins at sunset, so the evening marks the transition to a new day. This timing is significant as it aligns with the Passover meal, which is traditionally eaten after sunset. The Passover commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, as described in Exodus 12. The evening setting also fulfills the prophecy of Jesus as the Lamb of God, who would be sacrificed for the sins of the world, paralleling the Passover lamb.

Jesus was reclining
Reclining at a meal was a common practice in the ancient Near East, especially during special occasions like the Passover. This posture indicates a relaxed and intimate setting, emphasizing fellowship and community. It also reflects the freedom and rest that Jesus offers, contrasting with the bondage of sin. The act of reclining is symbolic of the rest believers find in Christ, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:9-10.

with the twelve disciples
The twelve disciples represent the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the new covenant community that Jesus is establishing. This gathering is significant as it marks the last supper Jesus shares with His disciples before His crucifixion. It is a moment of deep teaching and revelation, as Jesus prepares them for His impending death and resurrection. The number twelve also signifies completeness and divine government, pointing to the establishment of the Church. This moment foreshadows the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where the disciples are sent to make disciples of all nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who is about to face His crucifixion. In this verse, He is sharing a significant moment with His disciples.

2. The Twelve Disciples
The close followers of Jesus, representing the foundation of the early Church. They are present with Jesus during this pivotal moment.

3. Evening
The time of day when this event takes place, symbolizing the beginning of the Passover meal and the approaching darkness of Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion.

4. Reclining
A posture indicating a formal meal setting, typical of the Passover celebration, and a sign of fellowship and intimacy.

5. Passover Meal
The context of this gathering, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, which Jesus reinterprets in light of His impending sacrifice.
Teaching Points
The Significance of Fellowship
Jesus' choice to spend His final hours with His disciples underscores the importance of community and fellowship among believers.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
This event is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, demonstrating God's sovereign plan and the reliability of Scripture.

Preparation for Sacrifice
Jesus' actions during the Last Supper prepare the disciples for His impending sacrifice, teaching us about the necessity of spiritual readiness.

Servanthood and Humility
The setting of the Last Supper, especially as expanded in John 13, teaches the importance of serving others, following Jesus' example.

The New Covenant
This meal marks the establishment of a new covenant through Jesus' blood, inviting believers to live in the reality of His grace and forgiveness.(20) He sat down with the twelve.--Reserving special Notes for the Gospels which contain the narratives, we may call to mind here the words of strong emotion with which the feast was opened (Luke 22:15), the dispute among the disciples, probably connected with the places which they were to occupy at the table (Luke 22:24), and our Lord's practical reproof of that dispute in washing His disciples' feet (John 13:1-11). Picturing the scene to ourselves, we may think of our Lord as reclining--not sitting--in the centre of the middle table, St. John next to Him, and leaning on His bosom (John 13:23), St. Peter probably on the other side, and the others sitting in an order corresponding, more or less closely, with the three-fold division of the Twelve into groups of four. Upon the washing of the feet followed the teaching of John 13:12-20, and then came the "blessing" or "thanksgiving" which opened the meal. This went on in silence, while the countenance of the Master betrayed the deep emotion which troubled His spirit (John 13:21), and then the silence was broken by the awful words which are recorded in the next verse. . . . Verses 20-25. - The last Supper. Jesus announces his betrayer. (Mark 14:17-21 Luke 22:14, 21-23; John 13:21-30.) Verse 20. - When the even was come; i.e. according to Jewish reckoning, the beginning of the 14th of Nisan; with us, the Thursday evening - the eve of Good Friday. He sat down; he was reclining at table. Originally, the Passover was ordered to be eaten standing, in reference to the circumstances of its first institution (Exodus 12:11); but after the settlement in Canaan the posture had been changed to that of reclining in token of rest alter a weary pilgrimage. The rule that obtained concerning the number in one company of partakers of the Paschal feast was that it never should be less than ten, nor more than the lamb would suffice to feed, though a morsel of the flesh was considered to satisfy all requirements.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

evening
Ὀψίας (Opsias)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3798: Late, evening. From opse; late; feminine afternoon or nightfall.

came,
γενομένης (genomenēs)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

He was reclining
ἀνέκειτο (anekeito)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 345: To recline, especially at a dinner-table. From ana and keimai; to recline.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

twelve
δώδεκα (dōdeka)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1427: Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen.

disciples.
μαθητῶν (mathētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.


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