1Peter 2:21, 24, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow HIs steps . . . Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." Revelation 5:9, 12, " . . . for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation . . . Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." John 6:53-54, 57, "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. . . . As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." 1Corinthians 5:7-8, "For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the Feast." Passover in the Old Testament The Hebrew pesach (pronounced peh'-sakh), Strong's Concordance #6453, means a passing over, a pretermission, i.e., exemption. It is derived from #6452, pasach, to hop, skip over, or spare. By implication, pesach means to hesitate; literally to limp, to dance, halt, become lame, leap, pass over. Passover occurs on Fourteenth Day of First Hebrew Month Leviticus 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover. Numbers 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. Passover Lamb Sacrificed and Eaten Exodus 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's Passover. Exodus 12:21 . . . Draw out and take you a lamb [or kid, margin] according to your families, and kill the Passover. Exodus 12:27 . . . It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses . . . . Exodus 34:25 Thou shalt not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the Passover be left unto the morning. Deuteronomy 16:2, 5-6 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the Passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there . . . . Thou mayest not sacrifice [margin: kill] the Passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place His name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. [Note: As Fred Coulter points out in his book, The Christian Passover, this scripture refers not to the Passover lamb, but the Passover season offering.] Passover commemorates Israel's Deliverance from Egypt Exodus 12:26-27 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, Who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses . . . Deuteronomy 16:1, 6 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night . . . . But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place His name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. One Passover Lamb was sacrificed per household Exodus 12:3-4, 21, 46 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb . . . . Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Passover . . . . In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. Only Circumcised and Ceremonially Clean Persons could take Passover Exodus 12:43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof. Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Those unable to keep Passover may keep it a month later Numbers 9:10, 11 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover unto the LORD. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Passover must be kept correctly Numbers 9:13 But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the Passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin. Passover has Ordinances Numbers 9:11-12 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. Exodus 12:8-11 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD's Passover. Exodus 34:25 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the Passover be left unto the morning. Passover to be Observed at specific place Deuteronomy 16:2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the Passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place His name there. Deuteronomy 16:5-6 Thou mayest not sacrifice the Passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place His name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. Passover involved purification and preparation of the Heart Joshua 5:2-11 [Israel had to be circumcised before they could keep the Passover at Gilgal.] 2Chronicles 35:1,4,6,10,14-19Moreover Josiah kept a Passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month . . . . And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son . . . . So kill the Passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses . . . . So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment . . . . And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them. So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah. And the children of Israel that were present kept the Passover at that time, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days. And there was no Passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this Passover kept. Passover is Distinct, yet related to, Feast of Unleavened Bread Numbers 28:16-17 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the LORD. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. Numbers 33:3 And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the Passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. Deuteronomy 16:2-3 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the Passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there. Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. Ezekiel 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. Old Testament Prophecies Foretold The Messiah's Death Read our through article on this topic entitled Which Old Testament prophecies did Jesus FULFILL? Passover in the New Testament The Greek pascha (pronounced pas'khah), Strong's Concordance #3957, means the Passover, the day, the festival or special sacrifices connected with it. The KJV incorrectly translated it "Easter" in Acts 12:4. Through Faith Moses Kept Passover Hebrews 11:28 Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. Jesus and His Parents Kept Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread Luke 2:41-43 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the Feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. Jesus kept the Passover Shortly After Beginning His Ministry John 2:13, 23 And the Jews' Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem . . . . Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. Jesus came to Jerusalem six days before Passover, Stayed at Bethany John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. Jesus knew He would be crucified Matthew 26:2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. Mark 14:1-2 After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by craft, and put Him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. Luke 22:1-2 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill Him; for they feared the people. John 13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. Jesus ate His last earthly Passover with his disciples Matthew 26:17-19 Now the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover? And He said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover. Mark 14:12-16 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? And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. Luke 22:7-8,11,13 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat . . . . And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? . . . And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. Jews referred to Passover as a Day of Unleavened Bread Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover? During the Last Passover Supper the Savior washed the disciples' feet John 13:2-17 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. Then cometh He to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto Him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For He knew who should betray Him; therefore said He, Ye are not all clean. So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Messiah to take Passover when fulfilled in Kingdom Luke 22:15-16 And He said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Symbols of Bread and Wine instituted by Jesus Matthew 26:26-30 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Mark 14:22-25 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Luke 22:19-20 And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. It was Jewish custom to release a prisoner at Passover John 18:39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Herod Imprisoned Peter during Passover / Feast of Unleavened Bread Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter [Greek: pascha, Passover] to bring him forth to the people. Christ is our Passover 1Corinthians 5:7-8 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. The Messiah was the Lamb slain from foundation of the world Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 1Peter 1:1-4 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ . . . . Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, . . . Revelation 5:12-13 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 1Corinthians 11 explains the Christian Passover As the Messiah told us to keep it, we are to faithfully continue to practice and pass on the "ordinances." 1Corinthians 11:1-2 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you . . . It is a heresy to make the Passover into a sumptuous meal. Verses 17-22 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the Church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. The unleavened bread and wine are the only elements (after footwashing) of the Passover "meal." Verses 23-27 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. We need to examine ourselves before partaking of the Passover. It is a serious matter. We must not partake of the Passover in a light or unworthy manner, but with dignity and reverence. Verses 28-34 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. 2Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? The Passover was Eaten with Unleavened Bread Exodus 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Numbers 9:11 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Feast of Unleavened Bread separate seven-day Feast following Passover Exodus 12:15-20 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. And ye shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. Feast of Unleavened Bread Commemorates Israel's Exodus from Egypt Exodus 12:17 And ye shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. Deuteronomy 16:3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life. We are to Teach Meaning and Purpose of Feast of Unleavened Bread to our Children Exodus 13:6-9 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. The Feast of Unleavened Bread an Everlasting Institution Exodus 12:17 And ye shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 13:6, 10 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the Lord . . . . Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. The Feast of Unleavened Bread: One of Three Pilgrimage Festivals Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty. 2Chronicles 8:13 Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. Offering to the Eternal Commanded on the Feast of Unleavened Bread Exodus 23:15 Thou shalt keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty). Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and in the Feast of Weeks, and in the Feast of Tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty. God reminds Israel that all the Firstborn are His Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of the cattle. Exodus 13:1-3, 12-13 And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine . . . . Remember this day, in which ye came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall be no leavened bread be eaten . . . . That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord's. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. Exodus 34:18-20 The Feast of Unleavened Bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt. All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. . Feast of Unleavened Bread also called Passover Ezekiel 45:21 In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. Unleavened Bread in New Testament The Greek azumos (pronounced ad'-zoo-mos), Strong's #106, means unleavened, i.e. uncorrupted. Unleavened Bread can refer to entire Passover Season Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover? Mark 14:1 After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by craft, and put Him to death. 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? Luke 22:1, 7 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover . . . . Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. Feast of Unleavened Bread in Acts of the Apostles Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the Days of Unleavened Bread. ) Acts 20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. Meaning of Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread 1Corinthians 5:7-8 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Leavening in the New Testament "Leavening" in the New Testament is Strong's #2219, zume (pronounced dzoo' may) and #2220 zumoo (dzoo-mo'-o). The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake He unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Luke 13:20-21 And again He said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Beware of Spiritual Leaven -- False Doctrine Matthew 16:6-12 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. First Day of Unleavened Bread is a great Sabbath John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. COMMENT: The Greek word for "high" is Strong's #3173, megas, meaning "exceedingly, great, high, large, loud, mighty, strong." We use the word "mega" to mean million, such as megatons, megabytes. Holy days are "MEGA Sabbaths," much more important than other Sabbaths or other days. The Haggadah The recital of the narrative of the story of the exodus during the Jewish seder is called the Haggadah. The exact contents of the recital have some variations among Jews scattered around the world. There are ten basic elements of the service: - The service begins with the kiddush, or sanctification, the traditional inauguration of Sabbaths and Festivals in Jewish homes.
- The first cup of wine is poured with a blessing from the master of the house. All join in thanking God for the Festival of Unleavened Bread, "the season of our liberation."
- The master washes his hands and distributes parsley dipped in salt water to everyone. This is symbolic of the tears Israel shed in bondage.
- Then he takes the middle piece of unleavened bread, breaks it in half, and lays aside one half in a napkin. He takes the other half and says it represents the bread of affliction of our forefathers in Egypt. He invites all who are hungry to come and eat and all who are needy to come and celebrate the Passover feast, adding that though this year we be here, next year may we be in the land of Israel; though this year we be slaves, next year may we be free men!
- The second cup of wine is poured, and the youngest person present asks four questions: Why is this night different from all other nights? For on all other nights we eat leaven and unleavened alike, but on this night only unleavened. On all other nights we eat any kind of herbs, but on this night only bitter herbs. On all other nights we do not dip even once, but on this night twice. On all other nights we eat either upright or leaning, but on this night we all lean! There was originally another question, "Why is it that on other nights we eat meat boiled, roasted or stewed, but on this night only roasted?" This was dropped when the Temple was destroyed and sacrifices ceased.
Deuteronomy 6:21 is paraphrased, "We were slaves in Egypt, and would still be so, had not the Lord our God brought us out thence with a strong hand and an outstretched arm." After further answers to these questions are given, the celebrant lifts the cup of wine and pronounces the theme of the Seder: God's promise it is that has stood by our fathers and us. For it is not one alone that has risen up to destroy us, but the Holy One, blessed be He, delivers us out of their hand! The story of the sojourn in Egypt and the miraculous Exodus is told in summary form. The "mighty hand" was the plague of murrain, because the Scripture says, "The hand of the Lord fell upon the cattle," Exodus 9:3 (paraphrase). The "outstretched arm" was the sword of God (see 1Chronicles 21:16). Explanation is given of the elements of the shank bone, unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Then an important message of Passover is given: Every man in every generation is bound to look upon himself as if he personally had gone forth from Egypt . . . . It is not only our fathers that the Holy One redeemed, but ourselves also did He redeem with them. For does not the Scripture say, And He brought us out thence that He might bring us in, to give us the land which He swore unto our fathers (Deuteronomy 6:23)? The second cup is raised, and the Hallel (Psalm 113-118) is recited. These Psalms are part of every new moon and feast. Jesus and the disciples sang them at the Last Supper. The Hallel is appropriate to the Passover since Psalm 114begins, "When Israel went forth out of Egypt . . . ." The second cup is drunk and all wash their hands. - The sixth element of the Seder meal is when the celebrant breaks the topmost piece of unleavened bread and half of the middle piece, and gives pieces to each person, along with a small portion of horseradish.
- The evening meal is served.
- The celebrant unwraps the reserved half of the middle cake and everyone receives two pieces, called afikoman, which some say comes from the Greek epikomion, or "dessert." Children sometimes hide the reserved portion of unleavened bread, and claim a ransom for it before delivering it up to their fathers.
- "Grace" is the Jewish blessing at the close of a meal. After grace is said, the third cup is drunk. The "goblet of Elijah" is filled, and the main house door is flung open while the following words are recited:
Pour out Thy wrath upon the heathen that know Thee not and upon the kingdoms that call not on Thy name; for they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation (Psalm 79:6). Pour out upon them Thy fury, and let the heat of Thine anger overtake them (Psalm 69:24). Pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of the Lord (Lamentations 3:66). Why is Elijah associated with Passover? Some say that since Passover is a "night of watchings," one of these watchings is for Elijah, the precursor of the Messiah. The cup of Elijah is not for him to drink, but for him to give the heathen to drink, the "cup of reeling." It also symbolizes the "cup of comfort" to be drunk by Israel. Recitation of the Hallel is resumed, followed by miscellaneous hymns. - The conclusion to the Seder is when the doxology is recited, and the fourth and last cup of wine is drunk.
Christian Fulfillment of Passover Christ is our Passover Lamb, 1Corinthians 5:7. His blood shed for us identifies us and serves as a mark in the same way that the blood of the Passover Lamb identified the Israelites of Egypt. A Christian cannot understand the true meaning of the New Testament Passover without a knowledge of the meaning of the ancient ceremony which it replaces. That's why we ought to know the meaning of the symbolism of the Old Testament Passover. God's judgment will soon come on this present evil world. The blood of the Lamb, the Messiah, will serve the same purpose of identifying God's people, sparing them during the "Day of the Lord." On the first Passover, God judged the "gods" of Egypt. After Christ finished His Last Supper, He said that the prince of this world, Satan, was now judged. This judgment on Satan was pronounced, but is not yet carried out. Satan still rules this world. The coming Passover of the future will be the deliverance of God's people and the judgment of Satan and his world. Porter states, "Passover is primarily concerned with a future event, as are all of God's holy days that He has set aside to be observed by His people." Colossians 2:16-17 refers to the Holy Days as "a shadow of the things to come." The New American Standard Version translates Luke 22:15-16 as "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." The Great Future Passover has not yet been fulfilled! A Christian's present condition is similar to that of ancient Israel. They had killed the Passover lamb on the beginning of Nisan 14, had marked their homes, and were waiting for God's wrath to be visited upon the Egyptians about them. We have been marked with Christ's blood. As strangers and pilgrims in this world, we are waiting for God's judgment on the world, and our orders to leave and be with Christ. Judgment on this world will occur just before the Kingdom of God comes to this earth in power, 1Peter 1:13-21. As God judged the gods of Egypt on Passover night, the future Great Passover will be a judgment on all false religions when they will all be destroyed. To escape this future wrath, we need the mark of our Passover lamb. The Passover of 70 A.D. was the time the Romans came on Jerusalem, surrounding some three million Jews, most of whom were killed in the fighting or died by sickness and starvation. See Josephus' Antiquities (History) of the Jews, Chapter 5 "The Passover of which Egypt was a type and Jerusalem [of 70 A.D.] an example, is yet to come." Read Hebrews 10:26-31, and Revelation 18:1-5. That is why like Egypt, this Babylonish system will receive plagues. One cannot engage in Babylonish festivals [such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween] and still have protection of the blood of the Savior. Isaiah 26:20-21, "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." Isaiah 31:5, "As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also He will deliver it; and passing over He will preserve it." Christian Fulfillment of the Feast of Unleavened Bread The first day of Unleavened Bread was the night Israel left Egypt. The present meaning is that Christians are freed from sin to become servants of God, Romans 6:15-18, 22-23; John 8:31-36. God is still setting people free from slavery to sin. In the future, He will set the whole world free from sin. The seven days of Unleavened Bread picture a Christian's life, his death, burial and future resurrection. Romans 6:1-11 and especially 1Corinthians 10:1-11. In 1Corinthians 10, there is a warning to Christians. Although they have been baptized following conversion, they must live obedient and pleasing lives unto God. Israel was baptized in crossing the Red Sea on the last Holy Day of the Feast. God was later displeased with them and they died in the wilderness. Will we learn the lesson of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread and follow the Eternal always? |
