What the Bible Says about Passover

Today we are going to take a look at what the Bible has to say on the topic of Passover. While we don't hear much about it in the Christian church, the word Passover is used around 75 times in Scripture, including more than 25 times in the New Testament. The amount of times this Biblical holiday comes up should call our attention to the importance of this to the Creator. This post won't enumerate each verse, but will give us a general idea of what the Bible says about this often overlooked holiday.

What Scripture says about Passover:

"This is how you eat it: fully clothed, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Passover of YHWH." -Exodus 12:11

"YHWH's Passover is to begin at twilight on the 14th day of the first month." -Leviticus 23:5

"Keep the lamb until the fourteenth day of the first month. Then all the assembly of Israel shall slay it between the evenings. And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted in fire - with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it." -Exodus 12:6-8

"No outsiders are allowed to eat the Passover meal." -Exodus 12:43

"All the congregation of Israel is to perform Passover." -Exodus 12:47

"And when a stranger sojourns among you, then he shall perform the Passover of YHWH. He shall do so according to the law of the Passover and according to its right ruling. You have one law, both for the stranger and the native of the land." -Numbers 9:14

"Have the Israelites celebrate Passover at the appointed time." -Numbers 9:2

"When they celebrate Passover they must follow all of its regulations." -Numbers 9:12

"The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after Passover." -Numbers 33:3

"Guard the month of Aviv and perform the Passover to YHWH your Elohim, for in the month of Aviv YHWH your  Elohim brought you out of Egypt." -Deuteronomy 16:1

"On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated Passover." -Joshua 5:10

"The King gave this order to all the people, 'Celebrate the Passover to YHWH your God, as it is written in the Book of the Covenant.'" -2 Kings 23:21

"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and to Ephraim and Manasseh, to come to the House of YHWH to perform the Passover of YHWH Elohim of Israel." -2 Chronicles 30:1

"They sent to all Israel from Beersheba to Dan, to come to perform the Passover to YHWH Elohim of Israel since they had not done it for a long time." -2 Chronicles 30:5

"Josiah provided to the lay people 30,000 lambs and young goats from the flock, all for Passover offerings, and 3,000 cattle - all from the king's own possessions. His leaders also contributed a voluntary offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, leaders in the House of YHWH gave to the priests 2,600 Passover offerings, and 300 cattle." -2 Chronicles 35:7-8

"Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did, with the priests, the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people in Jerusalem." -2 Chronicles 35:18

"On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated Passover." -Ezra 6:19

"Every year, Yahusha's parents went to Jerusalem for Passover." -Luke 2:41

"When he was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, many believed in his name when they saw the miracles he was doing." -John 2:23

"When he came to Galilee the Galileans received him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, for they had been there." -John 4:45

"As you know, the Passover is in two days - and the son of man will be handed over to be crucified." -Matthew 26:2

"I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house." -Matthew 26:18

"The disciples did as Yahusha had directed and prepared the Passover." -Matthew 26:19

"I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you." -Luke 22:15

"Get rid of the old leaven, so that you are a new batch, as you are unleavened. For the Messiah our Passover was slaughtered for us." -1 Corinthians 5:7

"When you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the death of the Messiah until he comes." -1 Corinthians 11:26

"By faith Moses performed the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the first born would not touch the firstborn of Israel." -Hebrews 11:28

The frequency of Passover appearing in the Bible should call our attention to the importance that the Creator puts on this holiday. By comparison, birthdays are mentioned two or three times in Scripture, and the holidays of Christmas and Easter aren't mentioned at all in the Bible. Keep in mind that the verses here represent only a portion of the word Passover in the Bible, and don't go into parts of Scripture that deal with something happening on Passover, such as the last supper or death of the Messiah. Genesis 18 where Sarah makes unleavened bread for the visiting angels could possibly be another instance of Passover. Take time to study this popular theme of Scripture!

Related posts:
Things the Messiah Said at Passover
Comparing Passover and Easter
Five Reasons Why Believers Should Keep Passover

5 Reasons Believers Should Keep Passover

Is the Biblical set apart time of Passover something believers should participate in today? Many of us have been told that the Messiah did away with those things or that they aren't applicable to us today. But keeping this feast can be so rewarding and there is so much to be learned from it! Here are five Biblical reasons for us to participate in Passover today.

1. We are told to by both the Old and the New Testament. Yes, both testaments of Scripture exhort us to keep this set apart time. Leviticus 23 tells us to, so does Exodus 12:14, and the Messiah said to keep Passover in remembrance of him, and even after his death and ascension the Apostle Paul tells believers that we should keep the feasts! The Bible tells us to do things for a reason and it also says that when we follow the instructions we are blessed. I don't know about you, but I will gladly take all the blessings I can from our Heavenly Father.

2. To follow the Messiah's example. 1 John tells us that we should live as Yahusha did. We see the Messiah honoring and observing Passover at his last supper, which he told his followers to prepare for. Shouldn't we follow his example? He had purpose when he set this example for us. He knew it would impact us and our faith would grow through it. Keeping Passover is one way I can align my life to look a little more like his.

3. To remember the historic significance. So many amazing things happened during Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits! The Messiah being put to death on Passover, rising from the dead at First Fruits, and celebrating Unleavened Bread with his followers, but also the Exodus story where the Israelites were freed from slavery. Many significant events in the Bible happened during this time, and we would do well to take a few days to remember and learn from those things.

4. Because Easter is not an acceptable replacement for one of YHWH's set apart times. Many believers have told me that they think Passover and Easter are the same, but this is simply not true! There are many distinctive differences between these, and it's important that we pick the one that lines up with Scripture's instructions. Why settle for less than the truly good things YHWH has for us? At best, Easter is watered-down truth, with many lies and inaccuracies mixed in. We are shortchanging ourselves and the people in our lives when we exchange the Bible's truth for our culture's lies and traditions.

5. We are to be doers of the word. James makes it clear that we aren't just called to know what Scripture says, but we are to implement it into our lives. Passover is a simple and meaningful way to take a tangible step to put the word into practice! None of you would say that the Messiah's death and resurrection is not worth celebrating, so why not to do so in a way that YHWH instructs? 

Related posts: 
Why I Started Celebrating the Biblical Feasts
Preparing for Passover

Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Feasts

The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays

Comparing Passover and Easter

The Passover season is when believers in Messiah celebrate his death and resurrection. Since that's what Christians celebrate at Easter does that mean the holiday is basically the same, just being called a different name? It's important that we understand the differences between these two holidays so that we can answer that question truthfully. While a rose by another name would smell sweetly, calling a random piece of garbage a rose won't make it smell good.

Let us compare these often misunderstood holidays and take a look at some of the key differences between them. Keep in mind, we are not comparing the intentions of the celebrants or what it means to those celebrating either day. This is a look at what Scripture says.

What are some of the differences between Passover and Easter?

1. We are commanded to celebrate Passover and told not to even utter the name of Easter. Exodus 12:14 says that we should observe Passover as a "festival to YHWH throughout your generations." We are given many instructions on it and see it celebrated throughout Scripture. The Messiah set the example for us and observed it with the Disciples. Meanwhile the holiday of Easter is given exactly no mentions in Scripture, but we are told to "make no mention of the names of other gods." (Exodus 23:13) Easter/Eostre/Ostara is the name of a pagan goddess.

2. The Messiah was killed on Passover and resurrected on First Fruits, neither happened on Easter. Yes, these usually land around the same time of year but that doesn't mean they are the same. Christmas and New Years are only a few days apart but no one would say they are the same holiday. There is no Biblical or historic significance to when Easter lands.

3. Passover is kept in the Bible, Easter is not. Scripture makes mention that all of Israel celebrated Passover along with Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and Joshua. Chronicles goes out of the way to tell us which kings honored this set apart time. Paul expressly told believers to remember the Messiah's death by observing Passover (believers who weren't Jewish, by the way). And of course the Messiah's last supper with his Disciples was at Passover. There is no mention of anyone in Scripture participating in Easter. The closest thing we see in Scripture to an Easter celebration is in Ezekiel 8, and YHWH is angered and disgusted by it.

4. The Passover lamb is an instruction of Scripture, Easter ham and bunnies are not. The traditional Easter ham is forbidden by Scripture (Leviticus 11:7), and having unclean animals (even colorful stuffed bunnies) in the sanctuary is called "horribly disgusting" in Ezekiel 8. However the Passover lamb is something the Israelites were directly instructed to serve at their Passover in Egypt, and that analogy continues with Revelation 5:13, with the Messiah being likened to the Passover lamb that was slain.

5. Scripture says that the Messiah was resurrected when it was still dark, but Easter says he rose at sunrise. I'm not sure why so many people believe that the Messiah rose at sunrise, when Scripture plainly tells us that when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb it was still dark and the stone had already been removed from the tomb (John 20:1). Haven't believers been called hypocrites enough? Let's be accurate with the most basic of details of Scripture in order to be taken more seriously. Additionally the concept of the oh-so-popular 'sunrise service' Easter morning is eerily similar to what was happening in Ezekiel 8 where men had their back to YHWH's temple to face the rising sun in the east. YHWH's response to this was, "Do they consider these disgusting practices a casual matter? Because it's filling their land with violence."

6. Scripture teaches that the Messiah was in the grave for three days, Easter tradition says less than 48 hours. The traditional Easter tale of the Messiah being killed on Good Friday and then being resurrected on Sunday does not add up to three days. It's important to get the details on things like this right to show the validity of faith and Scripture to those who don't believe. Scripture teaches that the Messiah was killed on Passover and rose from the dead three days later on First Fruits.

7. Passover emphasizes death, Easter life. Passover is a memorial of the death of Yahusha. While we celebrate his resurrection, that happened on First Fruits, so more emphasis is put on his death at Passover. When we remember that he died for our sins it gives us opportunity to examine ourselves: are we living in bondage to something he has set us free from? Is there something that we need to die to? Passover is a time of deep spiritual reflection, whereas Easter celebrations tend to lack depth and don't call to attention the importance of repentance.

8. Passover emphasizes making covenant with YHWH, Easter focuses on lighthearted silliness. To be sure, there is nothing wrong with playing games and having fun, but that's not all there is to the Biblical holidays. From the Exodus Passover to the Messiah's last supper there was much significance put on Passover as a time of entering into covenant with the Living God. It was a time for spiritual housecleaning and sincere self examination as well as learning Scripture. Most churches and people spend little if any time on the deeper end of things and instead focus on egg hunts, baskets of candy, new outfits, and Easter lunch. While Passover is a joyful time, the weightier spiritual matters are not to be overlooked.

9. Passover has historic significance to the people of Israel. Besides it being the death of the Messiah, Passover is when YHWH brought his people out of slavery in Exodus. There is so, so much depth and meaning with being set free from the world systems, chains of bondage being broken, YHWH being far stronger than the gods of the world, and the Messiah's sacrifice honoring YHWH's ancient covenant with Abraham. What is the historic significance with Easter? Mostly concerns are raised about connections to paganism and ungodly practices.

10. We are told not to worship YHWH the way other nations worship their gods. Did you ever wonder what bunnies and eggs have to do with the Yahusha defeating death? How did those get mixed into worship when Scripture never suggests they be part of a set apart day? Well, eggs and bunnies are symbols for fertility used in paganism. Since this is not a custom found in Scripture, it's a way that pagan nations worship other gods, so we are forbidden from using them to worship the Living God.