Every year, as Easter approaches, I find myself reflecting not just on the empty tomb, but on the rich history that leads up to it—especially the story of Passover. These two holy days, Easter and Passover, one rooted in the Old Testament and the other in the New, hold a deep and beautiful connection that many believers overlook. But once you see how they intertwine, it changes everything.
I used to think of Easter and Passover as completely separate—one for Christians, the other for Jews. But as I studied more of the Bible and leaned into God’s Word, I discovered something powerful: Passover wasn’t just a moment in history—it was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
In this article, we’ll explore how Easter and Passover are connected, why they’re celebrated at different times, and what they reveal about God’s redemption story. Whether Easter has just passed or you’re already thinking ahead to next year, now is the perfect time to deepen your understanding of both.
Let’s walk this path together and uncover the powerful truth behind these sacred days.
What Is Passover?
To understand Easter fully, we have to go back—way back—to the book of Exodus. Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a sacred Jewish holiday that commemorates God’s dramatic rescue of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. You might remember the story: Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go, so God sent a series of plagues upon the land. The final and most devastating was the death of the firstborn.
But God provided a way of protection.
He instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a spotless lamb and paint its blood on the doorposts of their homes. That night, when the angel of death passed through Egypt, he “passed over” every house covered by the blood of the lamb. This act of obedience spared them and became the heart of the Passover tradition.
Even today, Jewish families around the world gather to remember this deliverance with a special meal called the Seder, filled with symbolic foods, Scripture readings, and prayers. Each item on the Seder plate represents part of the hardship and hope woven into the story.
As Christians, we often don’t realize just how rich this moment in history is for our own faith. The Passover lamb was more than a rescue plan for Israel—it pointed ahead to something even greater.
And that’s where Easter comes in.
What Is Easter?
Easter is the cornerstone of our Christian faith—the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It’s the moment when death was defeated, sin was overcome, and the gates of heaven were opened wide for all who believe.
Before the joy of Easter Sunday, we remember Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. It was on that cross that He bore the punishment for our sins, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice—the spotless Lamb of God. Three days later, just as He had promised, He rose from the grave, bringing with Him the hope of eternal life.
Easter isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a declaration of victory. It’s the fulfillment of God’s plan, woven through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. When Jesus stepped out of that tomb, He confirmed everything the prophets had foretold—and everything our hearts had longed for.
To see Easter in its fullest light, we need to view it not just through the lens of the empty tomb, but through the story of Passover, where the shadow of Christ was already at work.
👉 This ties beautifully into His baptism, which marked the beginning of His ministry. If you haven’t yet read it, I encourage you to explore Why Did Jesus Need to Be Baptized?
Is Easter and Passover the Same?
It’s a common question—especially for those new to faith or exploring biblical traditions: Is Easter and Passover the same thing? At first glance, it’s easy to see why people might be confused. Both holidays fall around the same time of year. Both involve themes of sacrifice, deliverance, and hope. But while they are deeply connected, Easter and Passover are not the same.
Passover is a Jewish holiday that remembers God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. It’s a historical and symbolic feast, grounded in the Old Testament and observed by Jewish people for generations.
Easter, on the other hand, is a Christian celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It centers on the New Testament fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem humanity—not just from physical slavery, but from the spiritual bondage of sin and death.
Still, the connection runs deep. Jesus Himself celebrated Passover with His disciples at the Last Supper, just before He was crucified. In that moment, He took the symbols of Passover—the bread and the wine—and gave them new meaning. He was showing us that He is the true Passover Lamb, whose blood would cover and save us.
So, while Easter and Passover are not the same, they are beautifully and intentionally linked. One sets the stage; the other fulfills the promise.
Why Are Easter and Passover on Different Dates?
If Easter and Passover are so closely connected, you might wonder: Why don’t they always fall on the same date? It’s a good question—and one that has both historical and calendar-based answers.
The short version is this: Easter follows the Gregorian calendar, while Passover follows the Hebrew (lunar) calendar. That difference alone causes the two holidays to shift from year to year and not always align.
Passover begins on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar, which typically falls in March or April. The Jewish calendar is lunar-based, meaning it tracks the cycles of the moon, so the date of Passover moves slightly each year.
Easter, however, is determined by a different rule: it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox (March 21). This formula was set by early Christian leaders during the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325.
Because of these two calendar systems and methods of calculation, sometimes Easter and Passover overlap, and sometimes they don’t.
But no matter the dates, the deeper truth remains the same: Jesus chose to give His life during Passover for a reason. His death and resurrection were meant to fulfill the story that began in Egypt, bringing eternal deliverance to all who believe.
How Are Easter and Passover Related?
The connection between Easter and Passover is not just poetic—it’s prophetic. The events of Easter are deeply rooted in the meaning and message of Passover, and when we understand that, it brings a whole new richness to our faith.
Let’s start with the Last Supper. Jesus didn’t just gather His disciples for any meal—it was a Passover meal. During that sacred evening, He broke bread and shared wine, saying, “This is my body… this is my blood” (Luke 22:19-20). In doing this, Jesus was revealing that He Himself was the fulfillment of the Passover Lamb.
In Exodus, the lamb’s blood protected the Israelites from death. In the New Testament, Jesus’ blood redeems us from eternal death. The parallels are breathtaking:
- The lamb had to be spotless → Jesus was sinless.
- The lamb’s blood covered the doorposts → Jesus’ blood covers our hearts.
- The lamb’s sacrifice led to physical freedom → Jesus’ sacrifice brings spiritual freedom.
The apostle Paul even makes the connection crystal clear: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7, NIV).
Understanding this connection helps us appreciate the full arc of God’s redemptive plan. Passover was never meant to be the end—it was a foreshadowing of something greater. Jesus didn’t abolish Passover; He fulfilled it. The apostle Paul even makes the connection crystal clear: “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7, NIV).
If you’re interested in how Jesus’ ministry was prepared for in advance, take a look at Unshakable Faith: How John the Baptist Prepared the Way for more insight.
For a deeper understanding of Jesus’ final Passover and its significance, here’s an insightful explanation by Tim Mackie from The Bible Project:
Easter vs. Passover: What’s the Key Difference?
While Easter and Passover are spiritually connected, they are not the same holiday. Each holds its own meaning, tradition, and historical background. But when we look at them side by side, something beautiful emerges: a unified story of redemption that spans both the Old and New Testaments.
Historical and Cultural Roots
Passover is deeply rooted in Jewish history and culture, celebrated for thousands of years to remember God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Easter, on the other hand, is grounded in the Christian faith, focusing on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both holidays are observed annually, but by different faith communities and with different practices.
The Focus of Each Holiday
Passover centers on God’s physical deliverance of His people through the blood of a lamb.
Easter centers on God’s spiritual deliverance of all people through the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
One looks back to Egypt; the other looks to the cross—and ultimately, the empty tomb.
Symbolism and Fulfillment
The symbols of Passover—lamb, unleavened bread, bitter herbs—point forward to the suffering and sacrifice of Christ. The symbols of Easter—cross, empty tomb, new life—fulfill what Passover foreshadowed.
In essence, Passover lays the foundation, and Easter completes the picture.
Why This Matters for Believers Today
Understanding the connection between Easter and Passover isn’t just a fun theological fact—it’s deeply meaningful for our walk with Christ. When we grasp how these two holy days are woven together, we begin to see the full story of God’s redemption unfold across Scripture. It strengthens our faith and deepens our appreciation for what Jesus has done for us.
Many Christians celebrate Easter without realizing that it’s built on a foundation laid centuries earlier during the very first Passover. That means our Savior’s death and resurrection weren’t random—they were part of a carefully orchestrated plan that began in Egypt and culminated at the cross.
When we understand this, we can:
- See Jesus more clearly as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)
- Appreciate the depth of God’s mercy, which has always been about saving His people
- Recognize that Jesus didn’t cancel the Old Testament—He fulfilled it in a way only He could
And more than that, it changes how we live.
We no longer walk in fear, but in the freedom that Christ purchased for us. We remember that the same God who brought Israel out of Egypt is the One who raised Jesus from the dead—and He is still delivering His people today.
If you’re looking for ways to live this out practically, check out Daily Walk with Jesus: Keys to Staying Spiritually Strong or Embracing God’s Grace for encouragement.
Final Thoughts: Living in the Light of Both Stories
Easter and Passover are more than just ancient traditions—they are threads in the same divine tapestry, woven by a God who has always had a plan to save His people. From the blood on the doorposts in Egypt to the blood shed on the cross, we see a consistent message: God delivers, God redeems, and God keeps His promises.
When we recognize how these two sacred events connect, we begin to see the Bible not as two separate halves, but as one continuous, breathtaking story of grace and redemption. It’s not just about looking back on what God has done—it’s about living now in light of it.
Whether Easter has just passed or you’re preparing your heart for next year, let this truth sink deep: Jesus is our Passover Lamb, our Resurrected King, and our Living Hope. And because of Him, we walk in freedom—not just once a year, but every single day.
If this message stirred your heart, I encourage you to keep exploring your faith through daily devotionals and Scripture-based reflection. You can also revisit Daily Walk with Jesus: Keys to Staying Spiritually Strong or Embracing God’s Grace to continue growing in your spiritual journey.
Frequently Asked Questions about Easter and Pasdsover
Is Easter and Passover the same?
No, Easter and Passover are not the same, but they are closely connected. Passover is a Jewish holiday that remembers God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, while Easter is a Christian celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Although they come from different traditions, both point to themes of sacrifice, redemption, and freedom—and Jesus is the beautiful fulfillment of Passover’s promise.
Why are Easter and Passover on different dates?
Easter follows the Gregorian calendar and falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Passover, however, is based on the Hebrew lunar calendar and begins on the 15th day of Nisan. These differences in calculation mean that the two holidays often fall around the same time but not always on the same dates.
How are Easter and Passover related?
Easter and Passover are spiritually linked through Jesus. He celebrated Passover with His disciples at the Last Supper, and His death and resurrection took place during the Passover season. Just as the blood of the lamb in Exodus saved the Israelites, the blood of Jesus—the Lamb of God—brings salvation to all who believe. Easter fulfills the message of Passover.
What is the difference between Easter and Passover?
The key difference is their focus and tradition. Passover celebrates Israel’s physical freedom from Egypt, while Easter celebrates the spiritual freedom believers receive through Christ’s resurrection. One remembers a historic event; the other proclaims an eternal victory. Yet both are part of God’s redemptive plan.
Did Jesus celebrate Passover?
Yes! Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples during the Last Supper, which took place just before His crucifixion. That meal, rich in symbolism, became the foundation of what Christians now call Communion. In that moment, Jesus revealed that He was the true Passover Lamb, about to lay down His life for the sins of the world.
