The events of a Passover meal (a commemoration of the ‘Exodus’) in relation to the ‘Last Supper’ (the indoctrination of the New Covenant) appear simultaneous in the timing as the Gospels reveal. However there remains much debate amongst theologians as to when the actual timing of these events occurred. To remain objective let us refer to an earlier finding to support the later.
The Historian Josephus (~70 A.D.) gives an account of the great preparation leading up to the Exodus; [Quote]
“But when God had signified, that with one more plague he would compel the Egyptians to let the Hebrews go, he commanded Moses to tell the people that they should have a sacrifice ready, and they should prepare themselves on the tenth month Xanthicus, against the fourteenth (which month is called by the Egyptians Pharmuth, and Nisan by the Hebrews; but the Macedonians call it Xanthicus) and that he should carry away the Hebrews with all that they had. Accordingly, he having got the Hebrews ready for their departure, and having sorted the peoples into tribes, he kept them together in one place; but when the fourteenth day was come, and all were ready to depart, they offered the sacrifice, and purified their houses with the blood, using hyssop for that purpose; and when they had supped they burnt the remainder of the flesh, as just ready to depart.” [End-Quote] Antiquities of the Jews Book 2, Chapter 14, Paragraph 6. William Whiston
If Jesus last supper was a ‘genuine Passover Seder’ on the beginning of Nisan 14th as many purport how then was it a ritual commemorating the Israelites who ate it in haste (EX 12:11) before fleeing from Egypt on Nisan 15th?
“And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow of the Passover the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.” KJV – Numbers 33:3
Why would the Israelites in Moses time have to wait around for at least 24 hours after eating a meal on the beginning of Nisan 14th before departing from Egypt on the next day of Nisan 15th?
“Observe the month of Abib (Nisan), and keep the Passover unto the Lord thy God; for in the month of Abib the Lord thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.” Deuteronmy 16:1 KJV
The verse says; ‘ out of Egypt by night’ thus indicating a most precarious time when darkness and moonlight was upon them.
If the Israelites in Moses time did eat the Passover meal in the beginning Of Nisan 14th (as many theologians persist) then it should stand to reason that they could have departed ‘in haste’ (fully assembled-fully prepared) that very night shortly afterwards. However, the Bible account and Josephus account clearly agree together that the Israelites left in the night of Nisan 15th some short time later after eating the meal.
Likewise our Lord’s last Passover meal was kept on the beginning of Nisan 15th. That day known as a high annual Sabbath (signified Israel’s departure from Egypt) or a ‘Yom Tov” (Hebrew) meaning as ‘Good Day’ which became traditionally known as ‘Good Friday’. Good not because Jesus died on that day (sic). Think about it. What is good about someone being crucified to death? It was good because an invocation by our Lord Jesus was offered and made to all in his last intimate shared moments where the alloted elements at that table were combined and consecrated into a life eternal giving sustenance.
The timing of the events that unfolded after that became immeasurable. One account indicates a prior intention to not press matters against Jesus ‘Not on a feast Day’ as noted in Matthew 26:5 and Mark 14:2. However, another account at Mark 15:6 and Luke 23:17 shows that the crucifixion moment did succumb to being ‘ON A FEAST DAY’ within the Passover period.
Over the years I have become aware of the various positions by theologians as to ‘WHEN’ the last supper, the crucifixion, and the resurrection moments occurred. Opinions and beliefs are strongly divided. Church official authorities opt to a more passive stance admitting that such historical details to this day remain a ‘mystery’. But all in all, it eventually all boils down to; ‘Does it really matter?’ I suppose the most over-looked point here is the most important one of all and that is; ‘Why’? Why did these important events regardless of when they happened as shown from are history did come to pass? What remains significant from those events that has carried us on through the ages in to a modern day existence with a stake of it in our own individual lifes? Only you can answer that question, the answer is in your heart. You have your choice and I have mine.