You will find various opinions as regards to when one should keep Passover. Some say the 14th and others the 15th. So who is right?

Those who support the 15th generally argue that Yahshua did not keep the passover meal with his disciples before his death. They claim that he was killed at the exact time of the traditional killing of the passover lamb thus fulfilling the type.

An argument in support of this is the interpretation of the word "even" taken from Leviticus 23:32

It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath. (KJV)

Knowing that the fast is to be observed on the tenth day of the seventh month, it follows that "even" means the end of the day.

Applying this meaning to Exodus 12:6 -

And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (KJV)

- the passover lamb is not killed until the afternoon of the 14th of Abib.

Other verses supporting an "afternoon evening" are:

But it shall be, when evening cometh on, he shall wash himself with water: and when the sun is down, he shall come into the camp again. Deu 23:11 (KJV)

And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. 1 Sam 30:17 (KJV)

Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. Jer 6:4 (KJV)

And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought it forth in the twilight, and I bare it upon my shoulder in their sight. Ezek 12:7 (KJV)

New Testament:

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. Mat 16:2 (KJV)

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Yahshua. Mark 15:42-43 (KJV)

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Yahshua and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. John 20:19 (KJV)

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. Mark 1:32 (KJV)

CHRONOLOGY OF THE 15TH DOCTRINE

The second important component of the 15th argument is the chronology of the Exodus. It is claimed that the passover lamb was slaughtered at the end of the 14th of Abib, the blood was applied to the doorposts, and the meal eaten on the night of the 15th. The Israelite people plundered the Egyptians prior to the death of the firstborn and thus were ready and able to leave Egypt on the night of the 15th shortly after midnight.

It is here that I have difficulty with the 15th doctrine. As Exodus states, the Lord commanded the people to stay under the protection of the blood on the doorposts and lintels until morning. To venture out would be an act of disobedience.

And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. Exo 12:22 (KJV)

This chronology is important because the Scriptures clearly state;

Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. Deu 16:1 (KJV)

And,

"but at the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide, there you shall sacrifice the Passover at twilight, at the going down of the sun, at the time you came out of Egypt. Deu 16:6 (NKJV)

And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. Num 33:3 (KJV)

Now if the 15th doctrine is correct,

• these verses would have the Israelites plundering the Egyptians on the 14th,
• killing the passover lambs on the afternoon of the 14th,
• eating the passover meal on the 15th,
• the LORD striking the firstborn at midnight on the 15th,
• and the Israelites leaving Egypt against the command of God in the darkness of the early hours of the morning.

(Remember that biblically speaking, morning starts at daybreak not at 2400 hrs)

It is interesting to note that in contradiction to the KJV, the New King James Version supports this view. Quoted after the slaying of the firstborn, note the differences in tense and meaning.

Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Exo 12:35-36 (NKJV)

And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. Exo 12:35-36 (KJV)

Translators differ on the meaning and tense of this passage.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE 14TH DOCTRINE

The chronology of the 14th doctrine differs slightly:

• The passover lambs are killed around sundown
• the meal is eaten on the night of the 14th.
• The LORD strikes the firstborn at midnight on the 14th,
• the Israelites stay in their houses until the morning.
• The Egyptians are plundered during the day of their grief and urge the Israelites to leave Egypt; (Ex. 12:33)
• The Israelites leave in the darkness of the 15th of Abib.

(Remember that biblically speaking, a day starts at sunset not at midnight.)

And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. Exo 12:33 (KJV)

Numbers clearly states that the Children of Israel departed on the morrow after the passover.

And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. Num 33:3 (KJV)

Does that mean the day after the killing of the passover lamb or the day after the passover meal?

Generally when the Bible refers to the passover it speaks of the meal unless it is specifically referring to the killing of the lamb or goat. A few examples are:

And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover. Exo 12:11 (KJV)

And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: Exo 12:43 (KJV)

And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Exo 12:48 (KJV)

To say that this verse refers exclusively to the killing of the passover lamb renders it ambiguous to say the least. The fifteenth being the "morrow" or day after the passover makes more sense in terms of the 14th doctrine.

We look now at evidence which refutes the interpretation of "even" referring exclusively the latter part of the day.

Supporting evening at the commencement of the Day is:

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Gen 1:5 (KJV)

This verse is fundamental to our understanding of how sabbaths are kept. It is because of this verse that we reckon a sabbath to commence at sunset.

But more important to our understanding of the correct time to observe Passover is the fact that the King James Bible has not properly translated Exodus 12:6 and other similar verses.

Notice that what the KJV translates "even" is actually a Hebrew phrase which is translated "between the two evenings". (or "twilight" in the New King James Version)

Exodus 12:6 'And it hath become a charge to you, until the fourteenth day of this month, and the whole assembly of the company of Israel have slaughtered it between the evenings; (Young's Literal Translation)

Exodus 12:6 And ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; and the whole congregation of the assembly of Israel shall kill it between the two evenings. (Darby Version)

Leviticus 23:5 in the first month, on the fourteenth of the month, between the evenings, [is] the passover to Jehovah; (Young's Literal Translation)

Leviticus 23:5 In the first month, on the fourteenth of the month, between the two evenings, is the passover to Jehovah. (Darby Version)

Exodus 30:8 and in Aaron's causing the lamps to go up between the evenings, he doth perfume it; a continual perfume before Jehovah to your generations.(Young's Literal Translation)

Exodus 16:12 'I have heard the murmurings of the sons of Israel; speak unto them, saying, Between the evenings ye eat flesh, and in the morning ye are satisfied [with] bread, and ye have known that I [am] Jehovah your God.' (Young's Literal Translation)

Another important point in the argument for the 14th is the establishment of a passover meal prior to the crucifixion.

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? Mark 14:12-14 (KJV)

Note the words of Yahshua, "Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? ". See also Mat 26:17-19; Luke 22:7,8;

Yahshua also commented on his desire to eat the Passover prior to his suffering.

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Luke 22:15,16 (KJV)

The Passover according to John's Gospel

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1 KJV)

John's Gospel has this curious statement regarding the Jews who accused Jesus,

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover. (John 18:28 KJV)

And later it is said that this day was the preparation of the Passover.

And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! (John 19:14 KJV)

This day was truly a preparation day! It was the 14th day of the month of Abib. This was the day that the Israelites prepared and ate the Passover. It was also the day that the people were instructed to thrown away all leaven that was to be found in their houses.

But why did the Jews fear defilement? Let's look at two things concerning defilement.

Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath; The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water. And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food. (Lev 22:5-7 KJV)

Now notice two things. First, whoever comes in contact with unclean things is unclean until sundown and second, after sundown he is able to partake of holy things. If these Jews were afraid of defilement they must have partaken of the passover in the previous evening as their uncleaness after washing would be cancelled at sundown. They apparently believed that defilement on any part of the day rendered them unclean for that whole day. Therefore, being defiled, they would have to partake of the second Passover a month later.

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover unto the LORD. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (Num 9:10-11 KJV)

Notice that Joseph of Arimathaea had no superstitions about taking the body of Jesus on the preparation day.

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (John 19:38-42 KJV)

Did Jesus properly fulfil the "Passover Lamb" type?

If Jesus was not slain at exactly the same time that the Passover lambs were killed, how could he properly fulfil the type?

The significance of the death of Christ is that at the very hour of Christ's death he reconciled us to God.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10 KJV)

At the moment of his death he purchased our redemption.

....... the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28 KJV)

The death of Christ has far more significance than the Passover "type". The killing of the Passover lamb was only part of Israel's salvation. The blood had to be applied to the lintels and doorpost in order to provide protection. The killing of the Passover lambs did not break the power of Pharaoh. It was the slaying of the firstborn of Egypt that moved Pharaoh to release the Israelite slaves. The killing of the Passover lamb only pictures the death of the antitype. The killing of the type alone did not save. The eating of the lamb was also significant. To be under the protection of the "blood" the residents of the house had to partake of the sacrifice. It was not until morning that the Israelites were free from the plague of death. If even one of the firstborn had ventured out of his house that night death would have struck.

Christ's death on the stake accomplished all that transpired that day, from the slaying of the lamb, the sparing at the "passing over" of the LORD, the deliverance of the Children of Israel from bondage, the crushing of the enemy to the spoiling of the Egyptian taskmasters and the journey out of Egypt.

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:14-15 KJV)

It is significant that Christ suffered on the fourteenth day of Abib. The hour of his death (3.00pm) does not coincide with the hour of the slaying of the Passover lambs which were killed between the two evenings. But that whole day is symbolic of everything that Christ achieved by his death including our redemption from the curse of the Law.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal 3:13 KJV)

The tearing of the veil signified that all these things were accomplished at the moment of Christ's death.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Mat 27:50-53 NKJV)

What is the Significance of the Passover Chronology?

The Passover meal was partaken of prior to Christ's death. This demonstrated the intended abolition of animal sacrifices, the New Covenant being ratified by the Blood of Christ. Christ washed the feet of disciples so that they would be clean to partake of the "Passover of his own Body". He instituted the new covenant emblems after the paschal supper.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:20 KJV)

The removal of the "leaven of sin" must take place in a believer's life after he is cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb not before. In the same manner the Passover lamb was prepared and eaten prior to the First day of Unleavened Bread.

The timing of the Passover is theologically significant. If we are to rid our lives of "leaven" prior to the cleansing of Calvary then we preach a gospel of "works". We in fact by our own witness declare ourselves worthy of the Passover sacrifice. The Scriptures say that:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Rom 5:8-11 KJV)

We must be in a state of leaven prior to the Passover, and immediately after we should busy ourselves ridding our "homes" of sin.

Conclusion

This study has only touched on the main points of this discussion. It is by no means a comprehensive treatment of the topic. Some may be of the opinion that I have missed some quite significant points. Let each follower of Christ be firmly convinced in his own mind by his/her own study of the Scriptures.

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.......... (Rom 14:5-6 KJV)

Our main concern is that we should be followers of the Word of God rather than of the tradition of men.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:9 KJV)

Let us not contend with each other over peripheral matters, but rather let us live by the Scripture which says:

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (Col 2:16-17 NKJV)

Not forgetting the importance of Yahshua our Passover who was sacrificed for us and his example and righteous life.