At Peace Church, pushing babies is always a popular past time.

In Session 2, David Alley expounded on the so-called Passover Problem. This relates to whether Jesus was crucified on the date of Passover (14 Nisan) or the following day (15 Nisan).

The Passover Problem

God can be confusing but that is what you expect from a God who is far greater than we are. He is bigger, grander and more wonderful than we can imagine.

Some people like to find so-called contradictions in the Bible. But there is usually a solution that can be found.

Luke 20:14-16. Jesus is having Passover with disciples

John 20:28 Passover has not happened yet, on day Jesus is executed.

Passover starts 14 Nisan night. Luke says Jesus died 15th, John says 14th.

Last Supper and crucifixion are actually the same day in the Jewish calendar.

Some scholars think the discrepancy is real. Typically they say John is right and others are wrong.

But if we believe the Bible is the Word of God then there must be a solution that honours both.

There are many speculative theories to harmonise the accounts.

Leviticus 23:5-8.

Passover begins 14th

In Australia, Christmas is 25th but all December is called Christmas

In Leviticus Passover starts 14th, but 15th is start of Feast of Unleavened Bread. The 15th is a Sabbath, or Day of Assembly.

In synoptics, Jesus has a Last Supper on the 14^th, and calls it the Passover.

He dies on the 14th which is not a Sabbath, but the Day of Preparation.

Jesus likely died on the Friday and the next day was both the normal Sabbath and the Passover Sabbath

But why did Jesus celebrate the Passover a day early? This is a theological not a chronological problem.

At the Last Supper there is no Passover lamb. Jesus Himself is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He redefines the Passover in a new covenant.

Jesus died at 3 pm, the time when Passover Lambs were sacrificed.

Jesus manages to fulfil both sides of the Passover… the lamb at the meal and the sacrificial lamb on the cross.