Footnotes

1. Matthew 26:17 In the history of Israel one event dominates all others, the Passover (Ex 12–13), and in the worship of Israel one feast summarizes the whole faith, the Passover. It celebrates the passage of God in the midst of his people and is the hour of liberation, salvation, and the covenant. Jesus’ Death and Resurrection constitute the true Passover, definitive for all humankind. The Last Supper of Jesus will be its inauguration.
2. Matthew 26:17 The first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread: this date corresponds with Thursday, the 14th of Nisan. The feast really began on the 15th of Nisan and lasted until the 21st. However, since the leavened bread was eliminated from all the houses before midday on the 14th, the morning of this date was improperly regarded as the first day of the feast, which in reality began only with the setting of the sun, when according to Jewish custom the 15th began. Passover here refers to the paschal lamb, which was immolated around three o’clock on the 14th of Nisan.