Contradiction with Mark 14:12
Matthew says the disciples came to Jesus asking about where to prepare the Passover, while here it states the preparation started on the day when they killed the Passover, implying the feast had not yet begun.
Mark 14:12: And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? [killed: or, sacrificed]
Contradiction with Luke 22:7
This verse states that the day of unleavened bread came when the Passover must be killed, contradicting the implication in Matthew 26:17 that preparations were already occurring.
Luke 22:7: Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
Contradiction with John 19:14
This verse indicates it was still the preparation of the Passover when Jesus was being sentenced, suggesting the timing of events around the Passover is different from Matthew's account.
John 19:14: And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
Paradox #1
One potential historical inconsistency regarding Matthew 26:17 is the timing of the Last Supper in relation to the Jewish Passover. According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), the Last Supper was a Passover meal. However, the Gospel of John suggests that the crucifixion occurred before the Passover meal was eaten. This timing difference can lead to some confusion about when the Last Supper actually took place in relation to the Passover.
Paradox #2
The potential numerical inconsistency revolves around the timing of the events described. In the Gospel of John, the timing of when certain events occur seems different from the Synoptic Gospels, including Matthew. This can lead to confusion as to when exactly these events took place in relation to the Passover.