Why did Jesus celebrate the Passover seder one night early?
You have an excellent take on the Passover in your commentary. I have read that Pharisees and Sadducees celebrated Passover on different days. Could this factor in the early celebration of Passover by Christ and the disciples?
Ted’s Response:
That's a good question, Karl. I did not realize that the Pharisees and Sadducees celebrated Passover on different days. However, I would think it would have nothing to do with the fact that Jesus and His disciples celebrated Passover early. I believe, rather, that this was due to divine decree.
The Father knew that Jesus would be sacrificed on the cross mid-afternoon on Passover (preparation) day, at the same time that the national Passover lamb for Israel was sacrificed in the temple (see “parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb”). So I feel that Jesus knew, in His Spirit, that He had to celebrate the Passover seder 24 hours early, because He knew that His body would be dead and entombed the following night.
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