Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 02, 1999 at 21:48:20 {.c1iAaocfMMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: **PASSOVER FOR BIBLEMAN posted by DaJahVeu on November 02, 1999 at 18:54:22:
Hello Da,
I can appreciate your strong feelings on this issue. All I can say is that right now, for some strange reason, the Jews use Nisan 14th to remove the leaven from the homes and they celebrate their Sedar meal on Nisan 15th. They end that Passover meal at Midnight.
Just as a note of reference, I thought you might like to read what the Enclyclopaedia Britannica has to say about the date of Jesus' death. Maybe you have some comment on it. They also feel that Jesus ate the Passover meal on Nisan 14th. I don't of course agree with this analysis. It tries to deal with the apparent discrepancy in the date Jesus ate the Last Supper, either Nisan 14 or 15.
Enclyclopaedia Britannica, under "Jesus Christ", page 153, "The best clue for reconstruction of the outward course of Jesus' Passion is given by the Crucificion. It proves that he was condemned and executed under Roman law as a political rebel. All reports agree that he died on Friday (Mark 15:42; Matt. 27:62, Luke 23:54; John 19:31). They differ, however, in that, according to the Synoptics, this was the 15th of Nisan (march/April); i.e. the first day of the Passover. But, according to John, it was the previous day; i.e., the one on which the Passover lambs were slaughtered and on which the festival was begun in the evening (in accordance with the Jewish divsion of days) with a common meal. Thus, according to John, Jesus' last meal with the disciples was not iself a Passover meal but took place earlier. Each of these datings may be theologically motivated, whether it be that the Eucharist is to be represented as the Passover meal (Synoptics) or whether Jesus himself is to be shown as the true Passover lamb, who died at the hour when the lambs were slaughtered (John). Historically, the Johannine dating is to be preferred, and the 14th Nisan (April 7) is to be regarded as the day of Jesus' death.
As noted, Christendom must claim a discrepancy in the Bible to have Jesus die on Friday, and in so doing, they choose their misinterpretation of John 19:14 while dismissing all three of the Synoptic gospels which they seem to understand establish that Jesus ate the last Passover on the 15th. That is, they are not confused over the fact that the Passover by Jewish custom and per the Synotic gospels dates the last Passover on Nisan 15th. I found that rather interesting.
Thanks for your comments. Trying to figure out exactly what Jewish custom was back then can be difficult.
Cheers,
Bibleman