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I listened to a tape by Scott Hahn some time ago where he discussed a book that theorized that the Last Supper occurred on Tuesday. Acording to Hahn, Jesus probably celebrated the Passover with a sect called the Essenes(of Dead Sea Scroll fame). The Essenes were Jewish purists who followed the old lunar or solar calendar(I can't remember which it was)which put the Passover on Tuesday night. This is supported by the synoptic Gospels which clearly state that the last supper was a Passover meal.

The Pharisees followed the other calendar which was used by the Romans which put Passover on Friday. This explains why in John's Gospel, he says that Jesus died as the Passover lambs were being slain and that Jesus' body needed to be removed before the start of the Passover. Jesus had already celebrated the Passover meal according to the synoptic Gospels. The Passover referred to by John was the Passover as celebrated by the Pharisees.

Using Tuesday night as the night Jesus was taken into custody gives more time for all the trials to occur. Otherwise, starting late in the evening, Jesus had to be taken to the Ciaphus, then to Pilate, then to Herod and then back to Pilate. Seems like a lot of work for the middle of the night. I find it hard to believe that Pilate would stay up until say 3:00 in the morning to address a dispute between the Jews or release Barabbas before dawn.

In any event it was an interesting discussion which does not change the significance of the events.