3 textual nuggets from Kim Riddlebarger

Passover Background
The Old Testament background for the annual Passover celebration is the account of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt on the night of the first Passover, as recounted in Exodus 12. Desiring to eat the Passover meal with his disciples (which by the way, was theirlast meal together after three years of very close fellowship and deep friendship–hence the designation “last supper”), Mark informs us in verse 17 that, “When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.”

Some background here should be helpful. The paschal liturgy was conducted by the head of the
household. The so-called Hillel Psalms (Psalms 113-118) were recited in various stages. The head of the household began the Passover celebration with a blessing, both upon the festival and on the first cup of wine. The meal was then brought in. It consisted of unleaven bread, bitter herbs, greens, stewed fruit and roast lamb. The bitter herbs recall the bitter nature of slavery in Egypt. The roast lamb was a reminder of God’s passing over the people who placed sacrificial blood on their doorposts. The oldest son, was then prompted to ask why this night was to be distinguished from all other nights. This was the point at which the head of the house then retold the Exodus/Passover story, in which praise was offered to God because of his gracious deliverance of his people from Egypt. A second cup of wine was consumed, before the head of the house took the unleaven bread, blessed it, broke it into pieces. He then distributed it to the others present who ate the bread, after dipping it in the bitter herbs. The entire lamb
was consumed, before a third cup of wine, and a final prayer of thanksgiving. This was followed by the singing of the final portion of the Hillel Psalms, before drinking the fourth cup of wine, which concluded the Passover. Mark will mention a number of these things in his account. –KR

Jesus’ Lament, Psalm 41 echoes
In verse 18, we read, “While they were reclining at the table eating, he said,`I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.’” This betrayal of Jesus must
be seen in the context of Psalm 41:9, a Psalm which echoes loudly throughout the events recounted by Mark in the first eleven verses of chapter 14. In Psalm 41:9, the Psalmist had written, “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me,” and since Jesus was the poor and righteous sufferer, he was fulfilling prophecy when he offered this lament. –KR

Jesus Drops Bomb in Liturgy Change
If Jesus had been following the traditional Paschal liturgy, after the meal had been served,
but before it was eaten, Jesus would have prayed in Aramaic, “this is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let everyone who hungers come and eat: let everyone who is needy come and eat the Passover meal.”7 But instead of repeating the traditional words, we read that “while they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, `Take it; this is my body.’” --KR