Passover and Easter
Let us start with Passover. Should we celebrate Passover?
First of all, Yahweh tells us to observe Passover. It is one of His Feast days. And if you believe that the Yahweh who spoke in the Old Testament was Messiah, then the verses below take on a lot more meaning. Have you ever asked yourself that if the Father has never been seen or heard by man (John 1:18, 5:37, 6:46 and 1 John 4:12, 20) and lives in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16), then who was the Yahweh who spoke to Moses? The simple answer is that the Yahweh who spoke was Messiah. This is confirmed in 1 Corinthians 10:1-10. With the understanding that the Yahweh who spoke in the Old Testament was Messiah, let us look at a few Old Testament Scriptures.
Leviticus 23:1 And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of Yahweh, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of Yahweh in all your dwellings. 4 These are the feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is Yahweh’s passover.
Numbers 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of Yahweh.
Exodus 12:1 And Yahweh spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 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. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 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 Yahweh’s passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the elohim of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am Yahweh. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to Yahweh throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
Deuteronomy 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto YAHWEH thy Elohim: for in the month of Abib YAHWEH thy Elohim brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
As you can see by the above, Passover is part of Yahweh’s feasts and is not only a “Jewish” feast as many believe. Over and over Yahweh boldly proclaims “These are my feasts” and are “feasts to Yahweh”.
What about Messiah when He was a man on this earth? Did He keep Passover?
Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Yah’shua, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.
Yes, Yah’shua kept and told us to keep Passover. He partook of lamb/goat, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, first commanded in Exodus 12. To “properly keep” and “complete” the Passover, He magnified the law by adding a new element, the cup/fruit of the vine, symbolizing His shed blood and He modified the traditional unleavened bread to now symbolize His body also. Over and over Messiah boldly proclaims “This do in remembrance of me”.
Luke 22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Sovereign that which also I delivered unto you, That the Sovereign Yah’shua the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Sovereign’s death till he come.
Messiah looked forward to the time of His Kingdom on Earth when He could again join His disciples in Passover. This is another clear indication that observing Passover has not been done away with nor replaced.
Luke 22:13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of Yahweh. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of Yahweh shall come. (Also see Mark 14:17 & 25 and Matthew 26:20 & 29)
Not only did Yah’shua tell us to keep Passover, Paul also told us to keep Passover. And Paul should know since he was taught directly by the resurrected YahwehShua (Galatians 1:11-17, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Ephesians 3:1-7, and Acts 9).
1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity (better translated purity) and truth.
Passover is part of the Doctrine of Messiah….repentance from sin and faith toward Elohim. And just like the Israelites had faith that Yahweh would “Passover” their houses and spare their firstborn by obeying His commandment of putting blood on their doorposts, we show faith by obeying Yahweh’s commandments, including keeping Passover.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Messiah, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward Elohim,
Not only should we keep Passover in memory of Messiah and what He did for us on the stake, Messiah gave us explicit instructions for Passover. For more information on how to keep Passover, please read Addendum A. During His Passover meal, Messiah broke bread and told us to eat the broken bread, which represents His broken body and to drink the fruit of the vine, which represents His blood shed for mankind’s sins and the New Covenant.
Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Yah’shua took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (see also Mark 14:22-24).
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Before we eat and drink the Passover meal, we must examine ourselves to see if we are worthy. That is, we need to examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. This is something we should not take lightly.
1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of Yah’shua, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of Yah’shua. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning Yah’shua’s body.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that YahwehShua Messiah is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Did you know that Messiah instructed us in John 13 to wash each other’s feet as we approach Passover?….“for I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you”. It is interesting to note that the feet washing instructed by Messiah occurred after supper but before Passover (read John 13:1). And if you compare John 13:27 and Luke 22:13 when Satan entered Judas Iscariot, it becomes clear that the foot washing was probably two days before Passover. For more reasons why the foot washing was before Passover, please read Addendum A.
And we know that Messiah washed us of our sins by His sacrifice.
John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Yah’shua 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. 2 And supper being ended (better translated served), the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3 Yah’shua knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from Yahweh, and went to Yahweh; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Sovereign, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Yah’shua answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Yah’shua answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Sovereign, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Yah’shua saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Teacher and Sovereign: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Sovereign and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Sovereign; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Before we move on, here are additional reasons why Yahweh’s Passover is still significant. Long before the Exodus, Yahweh required a blood sacrifice to cover sin. We see this foreshadowing of a blood sacrifice to cover sin when Yahweh provided animal skin coverings for Adam and Eve, whose own coverings of fig leaves were insufficient (see Genesis 3:7,21).
All sin requires the death penalty, i.e. the shedding of blood, because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Unfortunately the animal sacrifices only temporarily covered man’s sins. Yahweh required a sinless human sacrifice for the complete remission of sin.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of Yahweh; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Genesis 9:5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
And through the grace of Yahweh, He sent His son as a perfect unblemished sacrifice for our sins.
1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Messiah our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
And before the foundation of the world, Yahweh knew His Lamb would be slain as the perfect sacrifice for mankind. Passover did not begin in Egypt at the time of the Exodus as many believe. It began before the foundation of the world!
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Paul was correct in that we need to keep the feast. Yah’shua said, “Do this in remembrance of me”. Yahweh said, “These are my feasts”. This spiritual event, Passover, is observed by believers. It is part of Yahweh’s feast days and must be observed until Yahweh’s plan of salvation and of the ages is completed, at the New Heavens and the New Earth.
Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Some believe that Messiah has already fulfilled the law making the law of no effect. And that “the shadow of things to come” (i.e. the law and Yahweh’s feast days) means they are no longer necessary. But what about the fact that Messiah is coming again in the clouds to rule the nations? Yom Teruah (Feast of Shouting or Trumpets) and The Feast of Sukkoth (Tabernacles) are directly tied to His coming and His kingdom on this earth. And what about the fact that Yahweh knew since before the foundation of the world His plan to sacrifice His Son instead of mankind? Until the New Heavens and Earth, Yahweh’s feast days are still to be observed and are “the shadow of things to come”.
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is (1) of Messiah.
(1) “is” is an added word since it is in italics. The end of this passage should read “but the body of Messiah”. Therefore the judge should be the body of Messiah.
When should we keep Passover?
We know that Passover is observed at night and that Yahweh’s days start and end at sunset. Therefore Passover is observed at the evening at the start of the 14th of Abib.
Numbers 9:1 And Yahweh spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season. 3 In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.
Leviticus 23:4 These are the feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. 5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is Yahweh’s passover.
Our Passover is not about the blood of bulls and goats because Abba Yahweh has provided a better sacrifice.
Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Hebrews 8:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Messiah is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of Elohim for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Messiah was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
We know that Yah’shua was our perfect Passover sacrifice and that the Father laid on Him the iniquity of us all. His death was the substitution for our permanent death. Again we observe Passover to remember what He did for us.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he (Father) hath made him (Messiah) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of Yahweh in him.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahweh hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Coming together for Passover is also an annual reminder that through Messiah’s sacrifice, we have been set free from the power and penalty of sin, albeit not the presence of sin. Literally our sins have been passed over by Yahweh through His perfect sacrifice, just as the death angel passed over the Israelites’ firstborn. And just like the firstborn of the Israelites were spared, the firstborn of this age will also be spared from the second death….the lake of fire. For more information on how to keep Passover, please read Addendum B.
Should we drink alcoholic wine during Passover?
Leviticus 10:8 And YAHWEH spake unto Aaron, saying, 9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which YAHWEH hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
It is clear that when believers meet to go before Yahweh, we should not be drinking alcoholic beverages. So what was the fruit of the vine drunk at Passover with Messiah? (see Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25 and Luke 22:18)
Let us look at the Greek New Testament. We see when there is a reference to intoxicating drink, the Greek word “oinos” is used (see Ephesians 5:18 and Luke 1:15) and that “oinos” always means a fermented “wine”. The three Scriptures mentioned above (Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25 and Luke 22:18) do not use “oinos” for what was in the cup, but say it is the “fruit of the vine”. The Greek word for “vine” in those three passages is “ampelos”.
“Oinos” clearly means fermented wine, and is commonly used through the Greek writings, so why was it studiously avoided in the Passover account…unless alcoholic wine was not in the cup?
“Ampelos”, “vine”, is an important clue because it is specifically used in John 15:4-5 referring to vine and branches (i.e. fresh, alive, not fermented).
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
James also shows that ampelos is of the vine, i.e. fresh produce, not fermented.
James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
And in the Revelation of YahwehShua the Messiah, we are again shown that “ampelos” is not a fermented product, but on the vine.
Revelation 14:8 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of Yahweh.
Compare this to the fermented and intoxicating “oinos” which makes the nations drunk.
Revelation 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Messiah, as the Son and soon-to-be High Priest, would not have violated the law by introducing something fermented. To do so would clearly have been a violation of the law, thus a sin, and His own sacrifice would then be unusable to bear the sins of others.
Can we eat leavened bread during the Passover?
Exodus 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Exodus 23:18 Thou shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning. (Also see Exodus 34:25)
Deuteronomy 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto YAHWEH thy Elohim: for in the month of Abib YAHWEH thy Elohim brought thee forth out of Egypt by night. 2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto YAHWEH thy Elohim, of the flock and the herd, in the place which YAHWEH shall choose to place his name there. 3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it;
Clearly, we should not eat leavened bread at Passover and we see that Yah’shua obeyed this commandment found in Exodus 23:18, Exodus 34:25 and Deuteronomy 16:1.
Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened [azumos] bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened [azumos] bread the disciples came to Yah’shua, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?
Note: Yah’shua considered Abib 14th (Passover) as part of the feast of Unleavened Bread because of the prohibition of eating the sacrifice with leaven.
When we partake of the lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and the fruit of the vine at Passover, we are following Messiah! And over and over in the Scriptures, we are told to follow Messiah.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him (Messiah) ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
It is clear we should be observing Passover, but what about Easter? Should we observe Easter?
Let us start by asking a few basic questions.
Can you find the word “Easter” in the Scriptures? The answer is not exactly. More on this later.
Is Easter part of Yahweh’s Feast Days? No.
Was Easter ever sanctioned by Messiah? No.
Was Easter ever taught by the Apostles? No.
Was Easter ever observed by the early New Testament believers? There is no evidence that early believers celebrated Easter, but plenty of evidence that they observed Passover.
What we find in the historical record is that Easter is a man-made celebration incorporating pagan practices. Even the name “Easter” finds its origins in the worship of an ancient fertility goddess, Ishtar or Ashtoreth as she was called in Israel during Bible times (1 Kings 11:5, 33 and 2 Kings 23:13). She was worshipped in many ancient nations, which helps explain the origins of the Easter egg, a fertility symbol with this goddess. Also, the custom of worshipping at sunrise is a direct tie to sun worship.
As much as anyone tries, there is nothing in the Scriptures about celebrating Easter….no eggs, rabbits, Easter ham, or sunrise service anywhere. Why do billions of so-called Christians celebrate a holiday that clearly isn’t found in the Scriptures, while ignoring a Holy Day that the Scriptures tell us to keep?
Do you know that Father Yahweh is quite jealous over how He is worshipped? When ancient Israel conquered the pagan nations around her, Yahweh told His people not to be entrapped by the practices of the pagans.
Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their mighty ones, saying, How did these nations serve their mighty ones? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto Yahweh thy Elohim: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hateth, have they done unto their mighty ones; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their mighty ones. 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (also see Leviticus 18:3, 20:23, and Jeremiah 10:2-5).
Yahweh specifically commanded Israel not to ask why the pagans worshipped as they did, why they decorated their temples in such a way, or why they practiced certain feasts. Why? Because Yahweh knows human nature and man’s desire to celebrate. Everyone loves a party.
What happened? Israel did exactly what they were commanded not to do. They embraced pagan customs and mixed them with pure worship: “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of Yahweh, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the mighty ones of Syria, and the mighty ones of Zidon, and the mighty ones of Moab, and the mighty ones of the children of Ammon, and the mighty ones of the Philistines, and forsook Yahweh, and served not Him,” Judges 10:6 (see also 1 Samuel 7:3,4; 12:10; 1Kings 11:5, and 2 Kings 23:13).
Just as ancient Israel, Christianity has adopted pagan customs and incorporated them into its worship. Why was this done? Early Christianity adopted pagan practices merely to placate the heathen and bring them into the early assembly. It was easy to convert someone if he did not have to change his favorite celebrations!
What does the bible say about syncretism, which is blending pagan practices with true doctrine?
Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to YAHWEH. 6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 7 And YAHWEH said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 9 And YAHWEH said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from Yahweh, and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh.
And if that wasn’t enough, it is clear that many of Easter’s supposed connections to the Scriptures are not correct.
- Messiah was not nailed to two stakes that formed a cross on a barren hill, but was nailed to a stake which was fastened to a living tree in a garden.
- Messiah did not die on two stakes that formed a cross late Friday (around 3 pm) but died on one stake fastened to a living tree late Wednesday (around 3 pm).
- Messiah’s resurrection did not occur at sunrise on Sunday because He had already risen. His resurrection from the dead occurred around sunset on Saturday.
- Messiah was not in the tomb from Friday at around sunset to Sunday at sunrise. Messiah was in the tomb a full three days and nights.
Was Messiah nailed to two stakes that formed a cross on a barren hillside? This is a major misconception in Christianity. Although this was one method used for crucifixion by the Romans, it was not the only method the Romans used for crucifixion. Tradition says that the instrument of impalement was a “cross”, from the Latin “crux”, but is this supported by the Scriptures? Let’s investigate. Throughout the New Testament, cross is translated from the Greek word “stauros” and was the instrument Yah’shua was nailed to (John 20:25).
So what is the definition of “stauros”?
4716 stauros {stow-ros’} • from the base of 2476; TDNT – 7:572,1071; n m • AV – cross 28; 28 • 1) an upright stake, esp. a pointed one 2) a cross
This definition does not, however, prove that Messiah was or was not nailed to a stake which was fastened to another stake forming the traditional Christian cross. What we do know is that Messiah was nailed to a stake. If Yah’shua was nailed to a stake, what was the other object that the stake was fastened to? What does the biblical record state?
The answer is that Yah’shua and the thieves were not on two stakes that formed a cross on a barren hill, but were nailed to a stake and fastened to a living tree in a garden! Yes, the stake and the living tree formed a cross, but this cross of a stake and a living tree is much different than two stakes depicting the traditional Christian cross.
John 19:41 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.
Acts 5:30 The Elohim of our fathers raised up YahwehShua, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree (xulon). (also see Acts 10:39, and 13:29)
Galatians 3:13 Messiah 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 (xulon): (direct quote from Deuteronomy 21:23)
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (xulon), that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (also see James 2:24)
“Tree” is defined in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance as: 3586 xulon {xoo’-lon} • from another form of the base of 3582; TDNT – 5:37,665; n n • AV – tree 10, staff 5, wood 3, stocks 1; 19 • 1) wood 1a) that which is made of wood 1a1) as a beam from which any one is suspended, a gibbet, a cross 1a2) a log or timber with holes in which the feet, hands, neck of prisoners were inserted and fastened with thongs 1a3) a fetter, or shackle for the feet 1a4) a cudgel, stick, staff 2) a tree
And this xulon or tree that Messiah was fastened to was a LIVING tree!
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree (xulon), what shall be done in the dry? 32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
“Green” is from the Greek word “hugros”, meaning ” full of sap – LIVING!
SECB: 5200 hugros {hoo-gros’} • from the base of 5205; adj • AV – green 1; 1 • 1) damp, moist, wet 2) full of sap, green
Therefore, we see that the stauros, or stake, was fastened to a living tree in a garden rather than an upright stake on a barren hill as tradition erroneously teaches.
Why is it important that this was a living tree in the middle of a garden, rather than the more common artificial upright stake on a barren hill? Because we know that there was a tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-23). Also the tree of life in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word “xulon”. And the tree of life in New Jerusalem is in the midst of paradise.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the ekklesia; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree (xulon) of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of YAHWEH.
Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree (xulon) of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree (xulon) of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Yah’shua was impaled in a garden on a living tree. Thus it was fitting that Messiah gave up His life on a Tree in the midst of a garden so that mankind could partake of Him and His Tree of Life in the garden of paradise!
Let us take a look at the timeline of Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection. Did Messiah’s death and burial happen on a Friday? Did Messiah’s resurrection occur at sunrise the following Sunday?
One of the stumbling blocks to understanding Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection is ignorance of Yahweh’s Feast Days and High Days (i.e. Sabbaths) associated with those Feast Days. As we discussed, Passover starts at the evening of the 14th of Abib. Yahweh’s days start and end at sunset. Therefore the beginning of the 14th day of Abib is when Messiah had Passover with His disciples. The 24-hours of the 14th of Abib (Passover) continued through sunrise, Messiah’s death on the stake around 3pm, and His burial around sunset.
The next day (starting at sunset) is the 15th of Abib, the first day of Yahweh’s feast of Unleavened Bread. The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a High Day (i.e. Sabbath). Therefore when Scriptures talk about a High Day or Sabbath relating to the death, burial and resurrection of Messiah, it is not necessarily talking about Yahweh’s weekly Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday).
It is interesting to note that the Greek word “sabbaton” can be translated both as “Sabbaths” or “Sabbath”. That is, this Greek word can be both singular or plural. Therefore, based on all that we have covered, both Matthew 28:1 and Mark 16:1 should read “now after the Sabbaths as the first day of the week began to dawn” or “ now when the Sabbaths were past”. This mistranslation of the Greek word “sabbaton” has lent to the timeline confusion of Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection.
One of the keys to understanding the timing of Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection is found in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The counting of three days and nights is not from His death as many people misunderstand, but from His burial “in the heart of the earth”.
Let us start the timeline of Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection. We know that Messiah died around 3pm on the 14th of Abib (Passover).
Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour (1) Yah’shua cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My El, my El, why hast thou forsaken me? 47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50 Yah’shua, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit. (Also see Mark 15:33-34 and Luke 23:44-46)
(1) Night and day were divided into 12-hour time intervals, with day starting at 6am.
After Messiah’s death, His body had to be in the tomb before sunset, which began the first High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of Unleavened Bread. The Jews prohibited burial on a Sabbath Day because it would defile the Holy Day. Remember that the High Day of Unleavened Bread does not have to coincide with the weekly Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). Joseph of Arimathea had very little time after Messiah’s death to place Him into His tomb (sepulcher). Also, in Deuteronomy 21, there is a law forbidding a dead body to be left hanging on a tree overnight. Otherwise the land would be defiled.
John 19:30 When Yah’shua therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the spirit. 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the stake on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
41 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. 42 There laid they Yah’shua therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Luke 23:50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of Yahweh. 52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Yah’shua. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of Elohim;) that thy land be not defiled, which Yahweh thy Elohim giveth thee for an inheritance.
So it is clear that they got Messiah into His tomb around sunset on the 14th of Abib, just before the start of the High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of the first day of Unleavened Bread. Although Joseph of Arimathaea had wrapped Messiah with strips of linen soaked in aloe and myrrh before sunset on the 14th of Abib (John 19:40), they had not fully anointed Messiah with other spices, which was their custom.
When did they buy spices for the anointing of Messiah? The 15th of Abib was a High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of the Feast of Unleavened Bread when there could be no buying or selling. So we see that they must have bought spices on the 16th of Abib.
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (NKJ)
And after they bought and prepared spices, they rested for the weekly Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). Therefore the day that they bought and prepared spices was Friday before sunset.
Luke 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
By comparing details in both evangels where Mark tells us the women bought spices after the Sabbath and Luke tells us the women prepared spices before resting on the Sabbath, we can clearly see that two different Sabbaths are being discussed.
And continuing on in Luke, they went after the weekly Sabbath (ends sunset on Saturday) before it was light on the first day of the week to anoint Messiah. There is not much controversy that the first day of the week is Sunday.
Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Sovereign Yah’shua.
When they arrived early Sunday morning, Messiah had already risen. The question becomes, “Was early in the morning before or after the sun rose?” Let us look at some other Scriptures.
John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Sovereign descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Yah’shua, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Sovereign lay. (also see Mark 16:1-6, and Luke 24:1-6)
The Scriptures are clear that Messiah had already risen while it was still dark as the day began to dawn. Therefore a sunrise resurrection is not correct, because he had already risen before sunrise.
What about Mark 16:9?
Mark 16:9 Now when YahwehShua was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
We do know that there was no punctuation in the original Koine Greek texts. Therefore the comma was added and is translator bias. To harmonize with the rest of the Scriptures, the comma is either in the wrong place or shouldn’t be there at all.
Mark 16:9 Now when YahwehShua was risen, early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
So when did Messiah’s resurrection occur?
Let us go again to the only sign of the resurrection given by Messiah.
Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Based on all the Scriptures covered, we know that Messiah was put in the tomb at sunset before the High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of Unleavened Bread. We know that this High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of Unleavened Bread does not have to be the same day as the weekly Sabbath (sunset Friday to sunset Saturday).
We know that the Marys bought and prepared spices after the first High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of Unleavened Bread. And after buying and preparing spices they rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandments. This would have to be the 7th day or weekly Sabbath which is Yahweh’s 4th Commandment.
We know that Messiah would be three days and three nights in the tomb. We also know that when the Marys approached the tomb around dawn while it was still dark Sunday morning, Messiah had already risen. To make all these clues work, it becomes clear that Messiah was put in the tomb Wednesday right around sunset and was resurrected Saturday right around sunset. Three days and nights, “the only sign given to man”.
A Friday evening burial and Sunday morning resurrection does not equal three days and three nights. Even if you are looking at partial days and nights, no matter how you slice it you cannot get even 3 partial days and 3 partial nights!
We know that Messiah was the perfect sacrifice and that after His sacrifice, the need for animal sacrifices stopped. We have already confirmed this in Hebrews 7:26-28 and 8:23-28. I believe the following Scripture has parallel meaning to when Messiah died and the sacrifices stopped. And the midst (or middle) of the week according to Yahweh’s calendar is Wednesday, when the perfect sacrificed died!
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
Let us continue to analyze the Christians’ timeline of the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah. There is an interesting passage in John that clearly shows that six days before Passover, Yah’shua traveled to Bethany from Jerusalem, which was approximately 2 miles.
John 12:1 Then Yah’shua six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
If the traditional timeline for Passover was Friday (Passover being Thursday sunset to Friday sunset), then six days before the Passover would have been Saturday (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). And if six days before Passover was Saturday, then Messiah would have been traveling to Bethany on the Sabbath. We know that travel was restricted on the Sabbath to a “Sabbath Day Journey’ which was approximately ½ mile. It seems unlikely that Messiah was traveling 2 miles on the Sabbath, making the day of the Christian’s Passover (“Good Friday”) doubtful.
John also recounts a lot of activity six days before Passover, which would not have been normal on a weekly Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of rest and a day to worship at the Temple. But according to the book of John, after His travels to Bethany, they made Yah’shua supper, served him, Mary anointed His feet, and great many Jews came to the house to see Yah’shua and Lazarus, whom Yah’shua had raised from the dead. Again, seems like a normal day with travel, making and serving supper, anointing Yah’shua, and having visitors, not a Sabbath day of rest.
John 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Yah’shua, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Yah’shua’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Then there is the problem with “Palm Sunday” being on Sunday and Messiah entering the Temple on Monday. We know “Palm Sunday” was five days before Passover, because Scriptures tells us the next day, after he arrived at Bethany, was His triumphal return to Jerusalem.
John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Yah’shua was coming to Jerusalem, 13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of Yahweh.
If you read Mark 11:1-10, it is a parallel Scripture on “Palm Sunday”, that is Messiah’s triumphal return to Jerusalem riding on a colt. Again we determined the return to Jerusalem was five days before the Passover. In Mark we find the next day after His triumphal return to Jerusalem or four days before the Passover, Yah’shua enters the Temple. And while at the temple Yah’shua drives out those who were buying and selling and restricts anyone from carrying vessels through the temple. It makes logical sense that this day was more than likely a Sabbath, a day of no buying and selling and a day of no work.
Mark 11:12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Yah’shua went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
By placing this day at the temple as a Sabbath day or Saturday and “Palm Sunday” on a Friday our timeline starts to fit well with the rest of the Scriptures covered. That is, a Wednesday at-sunset-burial and a Saturday at-sunset-resurrection. Based on all the evidence about Yah’shua’s travels to Bethany, His triumphal return to Jerusalem (“Palm Sunday”), the next day entering the temple, Yah’shua’s observance of Passover, and His death, burial and resurrection, here is a timeline which takes all known facts into account.
- Thursday the 8th of Abib (Wednesday at sunset to Thursday at sunset), Yah’shua travels to Bethany from Jerusalem and visits Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
- Friday the 9th of Abib (Thursday at sunset to Friday at sunset), Yah’shua triumphal entry to Jerusalem riding a colt.
- Saturday the 10th of Abib (Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset), Yah’shua drives out the money changers and restricts work, which indicates a Sabbath day.
- Sunday night at sunset is the 12th of Abib and is the night Messiah washed His disciples feet and instructed them to wash each other’s’ feet.
- Tuesday night at sunset starts the 14th of Abib (Passover) and Messiah shares Passover with His disciples that evening. Later that evening, Messiah was arrested by the mob led by traitor Judas Iscariot.
- Throughout the night and day of the 14th of Abib, Yah’shua was on trial multiple times, brutalized, and mocked by the religious council and thugs.
- Wednesday around 3:00 pm (still 14th of Abib), Messiah dies on the stake, hanged on a living tree.
- Wednesday just before sunset (still 14th of Abib), Messiah is placed in the tomb.
- At sunset on Wednesday (15th of Abib) begins the first day of Unleavened Bread, which is a High Day (i.e. Sabbath). No customary work is done and no buying or selling is allowed.
- At sunset on Thursday (16th of Abib), the High Day (i.e. Sabbath) of Unleavened Bread ends. Messiah has been in the tomb one night and day.
- Friday during the day (still 16th of Abib), the Marys buy and prepare spices to anoint Messiah and then prepare to rest for the weekly Sabbath.
- At sunset on Friday (17th of Abib) starts the weekly Sabbath. Again, no customary work is done and no buying and selling is allowed. Messiah has been in the tomb two nights and days.
- At sunset on Saturday (18th of Abib), the weekly Sabbath ends. At sunset, Messiah is resurrected, based on the only sign given to man, three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
- Sunday morning at dawn while it was still dark (still 18th of Abib), the Marys go to the tomb to anoint Messiah with their spices. In all the Evangels, it states He had already risen. Why? Because we know that three days and three nights would have been Saturday around sunset!
Easter is a widely known man-made tradition steeped in paganism. It stands against Yahweh’s teaching.
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another YahwehShua, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another evangel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Remember that sin is breaking Yahweh’s law (1 John 3:4). The observance of Easter is contrary to Yahweh’s laws (Deuteronomy 12:29-32). Passover observance is part of Yahweh’s law (Leviticus 23:1-5).
We also know that Yahweh is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, Psalm 102:27). Neither the Father, the Son, nor the Apostles replaced Passover with Easter. When you honestly compare and contrast Easter and Passover as we have done here, there should be no question as to which one Yahweh desires us to observe.
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 Yahweh is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
HalleluYah
(3/13f)