It was so imperative to Our Lord that he should be safe from arrest until the Last Supper was over, that he went to elaborate lengths to prevent Judas from discovering beforehand the address where it was to be held.

Jesus had made a secret arrangement with a householder for an upper room to be placed at his disposal, and for a guide to be posted at the city gate to meet Peter and John on Maundy Thursday when, at their Master’s request, they went on ahead of the rest of the disciples to make the necessary preparations (Luke 22:8).

The two disciples would be enabled to recognise the guide and follow him through the crowded streets because he would be carrying on his head a jar of water, a task almost exclusively performed by women.  They were to follow him to the door of the house which he entered and give the following password to the householder, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ “(NRSV, Luke 22:11).   The householder would then show them a large upper room, already furnished, where they were to prepare for what was to be the Last Supper.