Did Jesus Celebrate Passover With His Disciples?

The Importance of Passover

Passover is an important Jewish festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The celebration lasts for seven or eight days, during which Jews participate in various rituals and traditions.

For Christians, Passover holds special significance as well. This is because Jesus, who was born and raised a Jew, observed Passover with his disciples the night before he was crucified.

The Last Supper

The Last Supper is the name given to the final meal that Jesus had with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. According to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this meal took place on the first day of Passover.

During this meal, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with his disciples. He instructed them to do this in remembrance of him. This has since become known as the Christian sacrament of Communion.

Evidence from Scripture

There are several passages in scripture that suggest that Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples. For example, in Luke 22:7-8 it says:

“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

This passage suggests that Jesus was preparing to celebrate Passover with his disciples.

Historical Context

In addition to evidence from scripture, there is also historical evidence that supports the idea that Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples. During this time period, it was common for Jews to observe religious festivals like Passover. It is unlikely that Jesus, who was raised in a devout Jewish family, would have ignored this important tradition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it seems highly likely that Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples. The Last Supper, which took place on the first day of Passover, is a clear indication of this. Additionally, historical context supports the idea that Jesus would have observed this important Jewish festival.

For Christians today, the celebration of Passover holds special significance as it reminds us of Jesus’ final meal with his disciples and his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.