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When Is Passover?

CGG Weekly by Pat Higgins

This year, Passover observance begins Monday evening, April 21, which corresponds to Nisan 14 on the Hebrew calendar. The evening of Nisan 14 is the correct time to observe Passover, as multiple scriptures clearly state that Passover is to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight or evening. God reveals in Genesis 1:5 that His days begin with the evening, the night portion, followed by the morning, the daylight portion, establishing that sunset starts the evening and the beginning of a day. Additionally, Numbers 28:16-17 and Leviticus 23:5-6 specify that Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are distinct observances on separate days, with Passover on the fourteenth and the Feast beginning on the fifteenth. Exodus 12:5-6 further confirms this timing, instructing that the lamb is to be kept until the fourteenth day and killed at twilight, reinforcing that Nisan 14 at evening is the designated time for Passover.

Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

During the lifetime of Jesus Christ, the Jews had two competing ways to determine the timing of the Passover. One was observed by the people in their homes in the evening as Abib 14 began, while the other, led by the priests at the Temple, was kept in the late afternoon of Abib 14. Jesus and His disciples are shown observing the Passover in a private home at the beginning of Abib 14. Certain verses, such as Matthew 26:17, seem to suggest a timing conflict by mentioning the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in connection with preparing for the Passover. However, the Greek term for "first" can also mean "before," indicating that this incident occurred before the Feast of Unleavened Bread began, likely late on Abib 13 or just after sunset on Abib 14. Similarly, Mark 14:12 refers to the "first day of Unleavened Bread" when the Passover lamb was killed, but the term for "day" can indicate a general period or season, suggesting it refers to the beginning of the time of unleavened bread, not the specific feast day. At this time, common people were sacrificing lambs throughout the city as Abib 14 approached, prompting the disciples to ask Jesus where to prepare for their own Passover. Luke 22:7-8 also mentions the "Day of Unleavened Bread" when the Passover must be killed, but this again refers to the broader season of unleavened bread starting on Abib 13, a day of preparation when leaven was removed and unleavened bread was made ready for the Passover meal. Thus, the timing in the Gospels aligns with the Passover being prepared and observed at the start of Abib 14, before the Feast of Unleavened Bread officially begins on Abib 15.

Is Passover on the First Day of Unleavened Bread? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each seem to put Passover on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, but a closer look reveals the consistency of Scripture.

Passover (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Using subterfuge, some proponents of the 15th Passover muddle up otherwise clear, day and night issues by surreptitiously inserting modern English language usage.

Why Was Jesus Not Crucified as Passover Began? (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The gospels show Jesus observing the Passover at the beginning of the 14th. Should we use the time when He observed it or the time He died as our guide?

Passover (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The proponents of a 15th Passover discount clear scriptural details and instead speculate. One cannot build doctrines on implication, distortion, and traditions.

Should Passover Be Observed for Seven Days?

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The words in Ezekiel's Millennial vision seem to say that the Passover should be observed for seven days. However, this contradicts other clear scriptures.

Why Wasn't Jesus Christ Crucified at the Start of Passover?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Jesus was crucified late on Abib 14, yet the Passover lambs were to be killed at the beginning of the 14th. The time of Christ's death is highly significant.

Passover (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Nine steps had to be included with the Passover observance, all within the house until morning. It takes place between sun's setting and complete darkness.

Passover (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Passover is to be kept on the twilight of the 14th, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th. The Word of God supersedes tradition and heritage.

Why Was Jesus Not Crucified as Passover Began? (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by David C. Grabbe

The timing of Christ's crucifixion does not coincide with the Passover, but instead lines up with the covenant God made with Abraham, marking a major fulfillment.

Head 'Em Up and Move 'Em Out!

Article by Mike Ford

When should we observe Passover - in the evening of Abib/Nisan 14 or 15? The logistics of Israel leaving Egypt prove we should keep Passover on the 14th.

Head 'Em Up and Move 'Em Out!

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Can 2½ million people (with livestock and possessions) move out of a location (Ramses in Goshen) in five hours?

The First Day of Unleavened Bread (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Passover takes place at twilight as the 14th of Abib begins. Unleavened Bread begins 24 hours later on the 15th of Abib. The Passover is a preparation day.

The Lord's Supper

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Equivocating with the expression 'as oft as you drink it in remembrance of me,' many believe they can observe the Lord's Supper monthly, weekly, or daily.

Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Confusion over time of Passover, the wavesheaf offering, and Pentecost results from making assumptions unwarranted by clear scriptural evidence.

The Wavesheaf and the Selfsame Day

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The wavesheaf offering is reckoned from the weekly Sabbath within the Days of Unleavened Bread. It had specific requirements that were not met in Joshua 5.

The First Day of Unleavened Bread (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The term 'selfsame day' refers to the covenant God made with Abraham 430 years before the Exodus, which occurred on the day after the Passover.

Chronic Difficulties

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Human tradition and Bible truth regarding the timing of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection do not square. Here is the overwhelming chronological evidence.

The Night to be Much Observed

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Night Much to be Observed is a memorial of the covenant with Abraham, and God's watchfulness in delivering ancient Israel as well as spiritual Israel.