When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.
20. When the evening was come, he sat down at table. Not to eat the passover, which they were bound to do standing, as travelers, when they are in haste, are wont to take food hastily, with shoes on their feet, and a staff in their hand, (Exodus 12:11;) but I consider the meaning to be, that after having observed the solemn rite, he sat down at table to supper.
And as they did eat,.... The passover lamb, the unleavened bread, and bitter herbs: he said it was usual, whilst they were thus engaged, to discourse much about the reason and design of this institution. What they talked of may be learnt from what follows (y): "it is an affirmative precept of the law, to declare the signs and wonders which were done to our...
Verse 20. When the even was come. The lamb was killed between the evenings, , (Hebrew) that is, between three o'clock P.M. and nine in the evening. The Jews reckoned two evenings, one from three o'clock P.M. to sunset, the other from sunset to the close of the first watch in the night, or nine o'clock.