"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. " (Luke 22:1, NASB).
The parallel passages Mark 14:1 and Matthew 26:2 tell us about events that happened on the 13th of Nisan, where it says that the feast of unleavened bread was "after two days", μετα δυο ημερας. At sundown at the end of the 12th of Nisan, it became the 13th of Nisan. Speaking on the 13th, it was "after two days" until unleavened bread. When the sun went down at the end of the 13th, then it became the 14th of Nisan. On the 14th, unleavened bread would be after one day. When the sun went down at the end of the 14th, then it became the 15th, and that day was the feast of unleavened bread: after zero days.
The 15th of Nisan was called "the Passover" for two important reasons. The Passover lamb was eaten the night before the 15th day, which on sunset reckoning is included in the 15th calendar day. And the festive offering in memory of the Exodus was slain and near sunset at the end of the 15th day. It was then consumed in the day, and also the night after the 15th, the deadline being morning. Here are the definitions of Passover used in the Scripture and history.
1. of the lamb itself slain mid afternoon on the 14th.
2. of the festive offering slain toward sunset on the 15th. [Exodus].
3. In reference to seven days of unleavened bread.
4. In reference to eight days of unleavened bread (dispersion, Galilean, Josephus).
5. In reference to a Seder meal.
6. In reference to an unofficial Seder meal (historical, present day).
7. Pertaining to a particular feast "day", the 15th of Nisan.
In this text all senses except 1, 4, and 6, would apply. It would be a mistake to say it refers to the Passover lamb or an unofficial seder before the 15th, since to do so would require the statement of Mark 14:1 and Matthew 26:2 and the sense of Luke 22:1 to be on the 12th of Nisan. The sequence is:
1. 13th after sunset beginning. Mark 14:1; Mat. 26:2; Dinner and anointing in Bethany. [Mon 6pm].
2. 13th during the day. Disciples pose question on preparations. A room is secured. [Tue before sunset].
3. 14th after sunset beginning. The last supper. Fast of the firstborn. Galileans abstain from leaven. [Tue, 6pm]
4. 14th afternoon. Yeshua is slain [Wed, 3pm].
5. 15th sunset beginning [Wed, 6pm]. The feast of unleavened bread arrives in the proper biblical sense.
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A. The Passover happened in Egypt at midnight in the night after the 14th day.
B. The Exodus happened in the day part of the 15th, and in the night following, and ended by the morning of the 16th, when they baked their unleavened bread.
C. While the holy day, i.e. the annual Sabbath is reckoned from sunset to sunset, the days for the sacrificial offerings are counted according to sunrise, such that. 1. The 14th day is sunrise to sunrise on the 15th day, and 2. the 15th day is sunrise to sunrise on the 16th day.
note: (torahtimes.org/translation/luk2201.html)
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Daniel's Literal Translation and Commentary: (http://www.torahtimes.org/translation/luk2207.html)
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