What Passover Is

Passover is the foundational biblical festival that commemorates God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. According to Exodus, God commanded each household to sacrifice a spotless lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood so that the final plague—the death of the firstborn—would “pass over” their homes. This event led directly to Israel’s liberation and became a permanent memorial in Jewish life.

In the New Testament, Passover becomes the theological backdrop for Jesus’ final week. Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, and the Gospels frame His crucifixion in direct connection with the festival. The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the true Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin.

Passover in the Old Testament

The Old Testament presents Passover as a historical event, a covenant sign, and an annual festival.

Core Old Testament Themes

God delivers Israel through the blood of a spotless lamb.

The event marks the beginning of Israel’s national identity.

Passover becomes a perpetual ordinance for future generations.

Verified Old Testament Passover Verses

Exodus 12:5–7, 13 God commands Israel to select a lamb “without blemish,” kill it, and place its blood on the doorposts. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

Exodus 12:1–14 God institutes Passover as a lasting memorial and explains how it is to be observed.

Exodus 12:17 Israel is commanded to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread as a lasting ordinance.

Leviticus 23:5 Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Deuteronomy 16:1 Israel is commanded to observe Passover because God brought them out of Egypt by night.

Hebrews 11:28 (New Testament commentary on the Old Testament event) Moses kept the Passover and the application of blood so the destroyer would not touch Israel’s firstborn.

Passover in the New Testament

The New Testament treats Passover as both a historical festival and a prophetic symbol fulfilled in Jesus.

Core New Testament Themes

Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples.

The Last Supper is a Passover meal.

Jesus is identified as the Passover Lamb.

His death occurs during Passover, fulfilling its symbolism.

Verified New Testament Passover Verses

Matthew 26:17 The disciples ask Jesus where to prepare the Passover meal.

Mark 14:12 The first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was killed, the disciples ask where to prepare the meal.

Luke 22:7 The day arrives when the Passover lamb must be killed.

John 2:13 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

John 1:29 John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” connecting Him to the Passover lamb.

1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul explicitly states: “Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us.”

Summary

The Old Testament Passover commemorates Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of a spotless lamb.

The New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Passover, the true Lamb whose sacrifice brings salvation.

Both Testaments treat Passover as a central act of redemption—first physical, then spiritual.