Matthew 26:17 refers to the time before the Feast of Unleavened Bread when the disciples asked Jesus where to prepare for the Passover. This event likely occurred late on Abib 13 or just after sunset on Abib 14. Mark 14:12 mentions the beginning of the season of Unleavened Bread, when the disciples asked Jesus about preparing for the Passover. At this time, people were in the process of sacrificing lambs or making preparations for the Passover, which was to be killed between sunset and dark as Abib 14 began. Luke 22:7-8 describes the Day of Unleavened Bread as the time when the Passover must be killed. This refers to the season of unleavened bread, which starts on Abib 13, when Jews would dispose of leaven and prepare unleavened bread for the Passover meal. The Passover was sacrificed during this time, even though the Feast of Unleavened Bread did not begin until Abib 15.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each contain language that appears to place Jesus and the disciples' Passover preparations and observance on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Matthew 26:17 reads, "Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, 'Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?'" This translation introduces an impossibility because God's instructions to Israel state that Passover is the day before the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a holy convocation on which no customary work is to be done, according to Leviticus 23:7.

The first day of Unleavened Bread began last night as we were observing the Night To Be Much Observed as part of it, and it continued on until sunset the following evening. The first day of Unleavened Bread deserves to be called very significant and very important to Christians. Those calling themselves Christian, but who are of this world, have cast this day aside along with other of God's festivals as having no importance at all. However, its relevance and significance as a symbol and as a memorial of an important event continues to this day. The first day of Unleavened Bread memorializes a number of distinctive events, including prophecy, promises, and fulfillments that God made in the distant past, and those prophecies and promises are continuing to be fulfilled by God to this very day. It is these, combined with God's faithfulness, that make this day so significant. But attacks against the observance of the first day of Unleavened Bread and the other festivals of God continue, and even against the Night To Be Much Observed.

The First Day of Unleavened Bread is significant as it marks the beginning of a seven-day period during which no leavened bread is to be eaten, as instructed in Exodus 12:15-20. This day is also notable for the removal of leaven from homes, symbolizing the removal of sin. In the New Testament, this day is referenced in connection with the Last Supper, as seen in Matthew 26:17, where preparations for the Passover are made on this day.