Passover in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

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What is the Passover?
PASS'OVER
, the principal annual feast of the Jews, which typified the sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world. Comp. 1 Cor 5:7-8, Christ our Passover is slain for us, etc. It was appointed to commemorate the exemption or "passing over" of the families of the Israelites when the destroying angel smote the first-born of Egypt, and also their departure from the land of bondage. At even of the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) the Passover was to be celebrated, and on the 15th day commenced the seven days' feast of unleavened bread. The term "Passover" is strictly applicable only to the meal of the paschal lamb, and the feast of unleavened bread was celebrated on the 15th onward for seven days to the 21st inclusive. This order is recognized in Josh 5:10-11. But in the sacred history the term "Passover" is used also to denote the whole period - the 14th day, and the festival of the seven davs following. Luke 2:41; John 2:13, Heb 12:23; Am 6:4; John 11:55. As to the time of the celebration of the Passover, it is expressly appointed "between the two evenings," Ex 12:6; Lev 23:5; Num 9:3, 1 Chr 6:5, or, as it is elsewhere expressed, "at even, at the going down of the sun." Deut 16:6. This is supposed to denote the commencement of the 15th day of Nisan, or at the moment when the 14th day closed and the 15th began. The twenty-four hours, reckoned from this point of time to the same period of the next day, or 15th, was the day of the Passover. At sunset of the 14th day the 15th began, and with it the feast of unleavened bread. The lamb was to be selected on the 10th day, and kept up till the 14th day, in the evening of which day it was to be killed. Ex 12:3-6. A male lamb was demanded, not more than one year old and without blemish; but often several households, comprising, perhaps, one hundred persons, associated and had a lamb in common, in which case each person was provided with a piece at least as large as an olive. The feast began by the handing around of a cup of wine mixed with water, over which the head of the family or the chief of the association pronounced the benediction. The lamb, roasted whole, and the other dishes were then placed on the table, and after a second cup of wine the meal was eaten. Everybody present partook of the lamb, the bitter herbs, and the unleavened bread, and care was taken that no bone was broken. What was left of the flesh was immediately burnt. After the meal followed the third cup of wine, then the singing of psalms and hymns, and finally a fourth, and perhaps a fifth, cup of wine. Then followed the feast of unleavened bread, occupying seven days, the first and last of which were peculiarly holy, like the Sabbath. Ex 12:15-16. The "preparation of the Passover," John 19:14, or "the day of the preparation," Matt 27:62. was the Paschal Friday, as in John 19:31 and 1 Chr 2:42, or the day preceding the regular Sabbath (Sabbath eve). It was, then, at the close of the 14th day of the month, when the feast of unleavened bread, called, in the larger sense, the Passover, Luke 22:1, approached, that Jesus directed the lamb for the paschal sacrifice to be prepared for himself and his disciples. This being done immediately after sunset of the 14th, which was the beginning of the 15th, the paschal supper was eaten. After this supper, and in the course of that night, Christ was arrested, tried during the night, condemned the next morning, crucified at 9 A.M., and died at 3 P.M. of the 15th of Nisan (this being a Friday). The whole series of events occurred between what we should call Thursday evening and Friday evening. The facts of chief importance in reconciling all the evangelists are that the word "Passover" is applied sometimes strictly to the 14th day, and at other times to the whole festival of unleavened bread; that the Passover, or paschal supper, strictly speaking, was celebrated at 6 P.M. at the close of the 14th or at the beginning of the 15th day of the month, and that the 15th of Nisan, or first day of the festival, was the day of the crucifixion. This has been verified by astronomical calculation, which proves that in the year a.d. 30, the year of our Saviour's death, the 15th of Nisan (April 7), fell on a Friday, which agrees with the testimony of all the evangelists.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'passover' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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