The disciples went into the city, found all as He had told them, and prepared the Pasch. In the evening[1], Jesus came with the other apostles. And when they were at table Jesus said to them: “With desire I have desired to eat this Pasch with you before I suffer. For I say unto you that I will not eat of it, till[2] it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
He then rose from supper, and laid aside His garment, and having taken a towel, He girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples,
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Fig. 83. Cœnaculum at Jerusalem (upper room as at present).
and to wipe them with the towel. But when He came first to Peter, the apostle said in surprise: “Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?”[3]
- ↑ In the evening. For the Pasch might not be eaten till after sunset.
- ↑ Not till. This is the last time I eat the Jewish Paschal lamb [the type and shadow] with you, because now the time has come when the true Paschal lamb [the fulfilment and reality] is given for you: the old Paschal lamb will henceforth be eaten new in the kingdom of God, i. e. the Church.
- ↑ Wash my feet! What! You, the Son of God, to wash the feet of me, a poor sinner, as if you were my servant!
of the law had decided that the command to eat the pasch standing, and girt ready for a journey, only applied to the time of Israel's servitude.
