passover

Although God passed judgment on the firstborn sons of Egypt, He spared the firstborn sons of the Jews at the original Passover.

Passover Events

Crucifixion of Jesus

  • Date: 14th of Nisan (Jewish calendar)
  • Date: 14th of Nisan (Jewish calendar)
  • Lamb selected: 10th of Nisan
  • Jesus selected: 10th of Nisan
  • Lamb to be perfect, without blemish
  • Jesus was perfect, without sin
  • Blood of the lamb saves those who apply it
  • Blood of Jesus saves those who accept it
  • Lamb to have no broken bones at slaughter
  • Jesus’ bones were never broken
  • The theme of the Jewish Passover is remembering the gift of salvation from slavery in Egypt. Those who were covered by the blood of the lamb were saved from the angel of death that killed the firstborn of everything living in Egypt.
  • The hope of the crucifixion is God’s gift of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. Those who choose to receive this gift are “covered by the blood of the Lamb” and saved from an eternity of separation from God.

The Passover Supper (Seder) is a major part of the Passover ceremony in the Old Testament. In the New Testament accounts, we find references to a number of the Seder symbols, including (i) the First Cup (also known as the Cup of Blessing) in Luke 22:17; (ii) the breaking of the “matzoh” (unleavened bread) in Luke 22:19; and (iii) the Third Cup (also known as the Cup of Redemption) in Luke 22:20.

It’s interesting how Jesus gives the matzoh and the Third Cup very special significance:

Rich Robinson, a Jew who believes that Jesus is the Messiah, notes the following: “The early Jewish believers in Jesus considered him the fulfillment of the Passover lambs that were yearly sacrificed. Thus Paul, a Jewish Christian who had studied under Rabbi Gamaliel, wrote, ‘Messiah, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us’ (1 Corinthians 5:7). John in his gospel noted that Jesus died at the same time that the Passover lambs were being slaughtered in the Temple (see John 19:14), and that like the Passover lambs, none of his bones were broken (the others being crucified had their leg bones broken by the Romans – John 19:32, 33, 36). The idea behind all this was that just as the Israelites were redeemed from Egyptian slavery by an unblemished lamb, now men could be freed from slavery to sin by the Messiah, the Lamb of God.”

Here are some other dramatic comparisons between the Passover Seder and the Lord’s Supper (Communion):

Passover Seder

Lord’s Supper

  • Observed by all Jewish families
  • Observed by the family of Christ
  • To remember God’s gift of salvation (Egypt )
  • To remember God’s gift of salvation (eternal)
  • Broken, unleavened bread = humility and God’s gift
  • Broken, unleavened bread = sinless Christ
  • Redemption cup = blood of the lamb
  • Redemption cup = blood of Christ
  • Wine mixed with warm water = symbol of the blood of the lamb’s sacrifice
  • Christ’s blood and water = John 19:34
  1. Rich Robinson, The Messiah in the Passover, Jews for Jesus, ISSUES vol. 3:2. See also Ralph Muncaster, Are There Hidden Codes in the Bible, Harvest House, 2000, 34-35.