The Jews were about to celebrate the Passover at Jerusalem, in commemoration of the night of Israel's deliverance, when the destroying angel smote the homes of Egypt. In the paschal lamb God desired them 389 to behold the Lamb of God, and through the symbol receive Him who gave Himself for the life of the world. But the Jews had come to make the symbol all-important, while its significance was unnoticed. They discerned not the Lord's body. The same truth that was symbolized in the paschal service was taught in the words of Christ. But it was still undiscerned.

Jøderne skulle netop til at fejre påsken i Jerusalem til minde om natten for Israels udfrielse, da dødens engel slog de ægyptiske hjem. Gud ville, at de i påskelammet skulle se Guds Lam og ved hjælp af dette forbillede tage imod ham, som gav sig selv for verdens liv. Men jøderne var nået til at anse forbilledet for at være af største vigtighed, medens de ikke lagde mærke til dets betydning. De forstod ikke, at det var Herrens legeme. Den samme sandhed, som blev symboliseret ved påskens højtid, lærtes gennem Kristi ord. Men stadig forstod de det ikke.