V. 16. And His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as He had said unto them; and they made ready the passover.
The two apostles followed Jesus' directions, for they had thereby become His representatives and were acting in the name of the head of the company, which, according to Josephus, numbered between ten and twenty.
They went to Jerusalem, purchased a lamb that met the requirements of the law, and took this up to the Temple one hour after the evening sacrifice, when all the priests were busy with the passover sacrifices. One of them killed the lamb himself, its blood being caught by one of the officiating priests to be poured out at the foot of the altar.
They then took the lamb to the house which had been designated by Jesus and made arrangements to have it roasted and all the other dishes of the passover meal prepared. The dining-room they found in an upper story of the house, with the necessary sofas all ready.
Thus all preparations for the paschal meal were completed. With sunset the Feast of Passover began; it was the 14th of Nisan.