Topical Bible: The Feast of the Passover: Called The: Jew's Passover

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The Feast of the Passover, often referred to as the Jew's Passover, is one of the most significant and ancient festivals in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. The Passover is a pivotal event in biblical history, symbolizing God's intervention and the establishment of Israel as His chosen people.

Biblical Origin and Institution

The Passover is instituted in Exodus 12, where God commands Moses and Aaron to instruct the Israelites on the observance of this feast. The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year" (Exodus 12:2). The Israelites were to select a lamb without blemish, sacrifice it, and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintels of their homes. This act would cause the Lord to "pass over" their houses during the final plague, the death of the firstborn, sparing them from judgment (Exodus 12:13).

Observance and Rituals

The Passover is observed on the 14th day of the first month, Nisan, in the Hebrew calendar. The festival begins with the Passover meal, known as the Seder, which includes the eating of unleavened bread (matzah) and bitter herbs, as a reminder of the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt and the bitterness of slavery. The Lord instructed, "You are to eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover" (Exodus 12:11).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows Passover and lasts for seven days. During this time, no leavened bread is to be consumed, symbolizing the removal of sin and the purity required of God's people. "For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day, you are to remove the leaven from your houses" (Exodus 12:15).

Significance in Jewish and Christian Traditions

For the Jewish people, Passover is a time of remembrance and celebration of God's deliverance and faithfulness. It is a family-centered festival, with the Seder meal serving as an opportunity to retell the account of the Exodus and instill its significance in future generations. "And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' you are to reply, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes'" (Exodus 12:26-27).

In Christian tradition, the Passover holds additional significance as it foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who delivers believers from the bondage of sin. The Apostle Paul writes, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, was a Passover meal, during which He instituted the Lord's Supper, or Communion, as a new covenant in His blood (Luke 22:19-20).

New Testament References

The Passover is mentioned several times in the New Testament, highlighting its continued observance and significance during the time of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, it is noted, "Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover" (John 11:55). Jesus' crucifixion coincides with the Passover, underscoring the fulfillment of the sacrificial symbolism inherent in the feast.

Conclusion

The Feast of the Passover remains a profound testament to God's redemptive power and His covenant relationship with His people. It serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the continuity of God's salvation plan through history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 2:13
And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 11:55
And the Jews' passover was near at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Sentence which Condemned the Judges
... Now at that feast the governor was wont to release ... designating our Lord as 'Jesus
which is called Christ.' He ... if it broke out at the Passover, when Jerusalem ...
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