They were on the Mount of Olives. In the morning Jesus asked the disciples to prepare for the Pasch.Luke, names Peter and John. They went into the city and as instructed followed a man who was carrying a pitcher of water into a house. They were to say to the owner: “The Master says where is my guest chamber…?”
The disciples found the room arranged and ready.
Peter and John would have brought the Paschal Lamb to the Temple for sacrifice.
The ramp to the altar of sacrifice is seen through the opening on the left.
The lamb was then taken home and roasted before sunset. Night having fallen, the meal began. It had to be finished by 2 am at the latest.
The washing of the feet probably took place at the time of ablutions at the beginning of the meal.
Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Pasch on Thursday evening. A joyful feast, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. A fast was observed from the morning meal until the Paschal meal. Four cups of wine were part of the ritual. The ceremony began with the blessing of the first cup, a blessing on the cup and on the day.
Herbs were brought in with a dish of sauce in which those present dipped the herbs. The Paschal Lamb was then placed on the table and the head of the family recalled the mercy of God, the purpose of the rite, their delivery from Egypt. The second cup was drunk and the lamb eaten with bitter herbs. After eating the lamb the third cup was poured out and a prayer of thanksgiving was made. Then follows the fourth cup and the singing of psalms 115-128. This, in outline, is the meal which Jesus and the disciples celebrated on the eve of his death.
As the meal drew to a close Jesus “took bread and broke it and said ‘Take; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them and they all drank of it. And he said to them ‘This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many.’” That which had been bread became the Body of Jesus; the wine became his Blood.
