What does Luke 22:9 mean?

It is the day before Passover. Jesus has told Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal for Himself and the disciples. They know they need to find a year-old lamb, slaughter it at the temple Court, and roast it. They also need to find oil, bitter herbs, wine, and unleavened bread. In a city that hosts the Passover celebration every year, this shouldn't be too hard to do. But they also need to find a place where thirteen people can meet, and they need to do it all by sundown.

They have seen Jesus feed two large crowds with little food (Mark 8:1–10; Luke 9:10–17). More recently, they witnessed Jesus knowing exactly where to find a donkey colt that He could ride (Luke 19:30–34). It's unclear if Jesus already set up the room or if He merely knows the room is available. Regardless, Peter and John trust that He will have an answer. The original Greek wording shows they are eager to do His bidding.

They are right to trust Him. He tells them to go into Jerusalem and look for a man carrying a jar of water; this is a task usually relegated to women. They are to follow him and inquire about a guest room in the house he enters (Luke 22:10–11). Peter and John follow Jesus' instructions and find the upper room where they and the other disciples will spend some intense time with Jesus (John 13—17).