Matthew 26:2

the passover (1) The wordis interesting in its (a) Hebrew, (b) Greek, and (c) English form. (a) The Hebrew pesachis from a root meaning "to leap over," and, figuratively, to "save," "shew mercy." (b) The Greek pascharepresents the Aramaic or later Hebrew form of the same word, but the affinity in sound and letters to the Greek word paschein, "to suffer," led to a connection in thought between the Passover and the Passion of our Lord: indeed, some of the early Christian writers state the connection as if it were the true etymology. (c) Tyndale has the merit of introducing into English the word "passover," which keeps up the play on the words in the original Hebrew (Exodus 12:11; Exodus 12:13). Before Tyndale the word "phase" (for pascha) was transferred from the Vulgate, with an explanation: "For it is phase, that is, the passyng of the Lord" (Wyclif).

the feast of the passovercommemorated the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptian bondage. The ordinances of the first Passover are narrated Exodus 12:1-14, but some of those were modified in later times. It was no longer necessary to choose the lamb on the 10th of Nisan. The blood was sprinkled on the altar, not on the door-post, those who partook of the paschal meal no longer "stood with loins girded, with shoes on their feet, with staff in hand," but reclined on couches, as at an ordinary meal; it was no longer unlawful to leave the house before morning (Exodus 12:22). The regular celebration of the Passover was part of the religious revival after the return from Captivity. During the kingly period only three celebrations of the Passover are recorded; in the reigns of Solomon, of Hezekiah and of Josiah. For the relation of the Last Supper to the Passover and for further notes on the paschal observance, see below.

The date of this Passover was probably April 3 (old style), a. d. 33 (Mr J. W. Bosanquet in Trans. Soc. Bib. Arch.vol. iv. 2). See note, ch. Matthew 2:1.

is betrayed either (1) the present for the future, denoting greater certainty or (2) the full relative present "is now being betrayed;" the treacherous scheme of Judas is already afoot.