Passover is one of the most significant events in Jewish tradition, and it holds deep spiritual meaning for Christians as well. In both the Old and New Testaments, the Bible offers many verses that provide insight into the significance of Passover.
These verses remind us of God’s faithfulness, the power of redemption, and the importance of remembering God’s deliverance. Whether you’re preparing to celebrate Passover or simply seeking to understand its deeper meaning, these Bible verses about Passover can offer comfort, inspiration, and guidance on your spiritual journey.
Also Read: 15+ Powerful Bible Verses About Holy Saturday: Meaning
Also Read: 15+ Powerful Bible Verses About Holy Week
1. Exodus 12:12-13
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both people and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
Explanation: This verse describes the first Passover, where God instructed the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb. This act of faith would protect them from the final plague on Egypt. Spiritually, it symbolizes God’s protection and mercy, demonstrating that His judgments are tempered by His grace.
2. Exodus 12:14
“This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.”
Explanation: God commands the Israelites to remember the Passover as an eternal memorial. This verse highlights the importance of remembrance in the faith journey, showing how crucial it is to recall God’s mighty acts of deliverance regularly.
3. Exodus 12:24-27
“Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.’”
Explanation: This passage reinforces the idea of passing down the story of God’s deliverance from generation to generation. It teaches us the importance of sharing our faith and the significance of our spiritual practices with younger generations.
4. Leviticus 23:5
“The LORD’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.”
Explanation: This verse sets the date for Passover, emphasizing the importance of following God’s timing in celebration. It’s a reminder that God has specific plans and timings for His people, and observing these helps us stay connected to His will.
5. Deuteronomy 16:1-3
“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib he brought you out of Egypt by night. Sacrifice as the Passover to the LORD your God an animal from your flock or herd at the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for his Name.”
Explanation: This passage ties the Passover celebration to the specific historical event of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. It encourages the people to honor God’s deliverance through acts of worship and sacrifice. It’s a reminder that Passover is not just a ritual but a celebration of God’s rescue.
6. Matthew 26:17-19
“On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’ He replied, ‘Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near; I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.”
Explanation: In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples continue the Passover tradition, indicating the ongoing relevance of the festival. Jesus’ participation in the Passover meal highlights the deep connection between His life and the Jewish traditions.
7. Matthew 26:26-28
“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
Explanation: Jesus transforms the traditional Passover meal into the institution of the Lord’s Supper, connecting His sacrifice to the symbolism of the Passover lamb. This marks the beginning of a new covenant and highlights the spiritual significance of Passover for Christians.
8. 1 Corinthians 5:7
“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
Explanation: Paul connects Christ to the Passover lamb, indicating that Jesus’ sacrifice fulfills the purpose of the Passover. This verse teaches that through Christ, we have been spiritually freed from the “old yeast” of sin, just as the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
9. John 1:29
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Explanation: John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God, drawing a clear parallel to the Passover lamb. Just as the lamb’s blood saved the Israelites in Egypt, Jesus’ sacrifice provides ultimate redemption for all people.
10. Luke 22:15-16
“And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’”
Explanation: Jesus expresses His longing to celebrate Passover with His disciples before His death. His words point forward to the fulfillment of God’s plan in the kingdom of God, offering hope and anticipation for His followers.
11. Hebrews 11:28
“By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.”
Explanation: This verse commends the faith of Moses and the Israelites in observing the Passover, trusting that God would protect them. It emphasizes that faith in God’s promises is central to the Passover observance.
12. Revelation 5:9-10
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’”
Explanation: This verse from Revelation refers to Jesus’ sacrifice as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. His blood, like the Passover lamb’s, brings redemption to people from all nations.
13. Exodus 12:3
“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.”
Explanation: This verse shows that each family is responsible for choosing a lamb. The lamb represented a personal sacrifice, and its selection required care and intention. This highlights the personal nature of redemption and God’s care for each individual.
14. Exodus 12:46
“It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones.”
Explanation: This verse foreshadows the protection and sanctity of Christ’s body. Just as the Passover lamb’s bones were not to be broken, so Jesus’ body was not broken during His crucifixion, fulfilling the prophetic symbolism of the Passover lamb.
15. Romans 6:3-4
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Explanation: This passage connects the death of Christ with the symbolism of Passover, emphasizing how Christ’s sacrifice allows believers to live a new life. It reminds us that through Jesus, we are given freedom and new hope.
Conclusion
The Bible verses about Passover provide deep insight into the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and God’s faithfulness. Through the Passover lamb, we see God’s protection and deliverance, and in Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of that promise.
These verses not only help us reflect on God’s work in the past but also inspire us to live in gratitude for the salvation we receive through Jesus.
Take a moment to reflect on how these verses resonate with you. How does the story of Passover influence your faith journey? We invite you to share your thoughts, favorite verses, or personal experiences in the comments below.