| (Copyright 08-02-2022) by Rich Traver (Clifton, Colorado) |
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| A Poorly rendered expression found in Mark 14:12 creates a degree of Confusion among Believers. What day is Mark’s expression intending to identify? There are times in the New Testament, particularly as it involves the observance of such an important event as the Passover, when identifying an exact day can be especially important. Now, if there weren’t varying opinions as to when Passover ought to be observed, then perhaps which day, or days, being referred to in this Gospel narrative, wouldn’t pose the question that it does. Translational Issues But translators, being insufficiently familiar with the customs of the first century, chose to translate Mark’s reference through a prism of a modern perspective. The Gospel of Mark is specific in identifying a particular day. It was, as Mark states, the ‘first of the unleaveneds’. However, that leaves the impression in some people’s minds that he refers to the First Day of Unleavened Bread, the fifteenth day of the first month. But it can’t be the first day of Unleavened Bread as the translators seem to have worded it. (How we know that it was not the fifteenth when they did this, is that it would have been after Jesus’ death!! He was entombed as the First Day of Unleavened was beginning!) Editor’s Note: Jesus was entombed on the preparation day of Passover/Unleavened Bread. Joh 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Joh 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. Except for the Passover The fourteenth day provided an occasion when unleavened bread was required to be eaten with their observance, as no leaven was to be eaten with a Passover Supper, though they didn’t need to have their houses de-leavened quite this early. [1] Editor’s Note: All the leaven had to be gotten rid of before they could start slaughtering the Passover Lambs. So that means it had to be gone by noon on the 14th of Nisan before they started to slaughter the Passover Lambs. Laura Lee According to Edersheim, they could eat leaven on the fourteenth up until mid-morning only. [2] But, this limitation made the fourteenth effectively a day involving unleavenedness, thus the term for it. A Detail that Adds Context The Gospel of Mark added this extra detail to his narrative. First, it’s specific as to the day. He calls the day the ‘first of the unleaveneds’, not the first day of Unleavened Bread as some readers take it to mean. Since it’s often taken to be a specific day being referred to, why not allow its alternate possibility? What Mark alluded to was a reference to the traditional Jewish observance, not the one we know of today and not the one Jesus and the early New Testament Church observed. The Jewish allowance was that leaven could still be eaten up until mid-morning of the fourteenth, but that was the day when they were to complete their de-leavening. Any remaining leaven was to be disposed of after mid-morning. Keep in mind that their Passover observance (the Passover of the Jews) wasn’t until late on the fourteenth, extending into the fifteenth, by the time their lambs were sufficiently roasted so they could be eaten. Editor’s Note: There is no difference between when the Jews observed Passover, when Christ observed Passover and when we are to observe Passover today. Passover has always been observed on the latter part of the 14th of Nisan by the Jews and by Christ and is the time we are still to observe it today. The timing of Passover was never changed anywhere in scripture. Psa 60:7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; And this is repeated a second time in scripture. Psa 108:8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; The word lawgiver is Strong’s H2710 חָקַק châqaq khaw-kak’ A primitive root; properly to hack, that is, engrave (Jdg_5:14, to be a scribe simply); by implication to enact (laws being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or (generally) prescribe: – appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver, note, pourtray, print, set. In other words the Jews were to preserve the law of God for all of us today. The only people who keep a different law and calendar from Christ or God’s true people are those who made up their own laws and calendars which is many people who currently claim to be God’s elect. Laura Lee So, from a Jewish point of view, the fourteenth was the day in which de-leavening was to be accomplished, though the full seven days of Unleavened Bread were not yet begun. Just by its name, there’s the logical implication that all leaven was to be removed from their homes (and lives) by sunset as the fifteenth of the month was beginning. Editor’s Note: Leavened bread was to be removed by noon on the 14th of Nisan at the time of Christ, before the Passover Lambs were killed and by us today as a part of the memorial of Passover. Laura Lee Familiar With the Traditions Knowing the traditions of the day explains the terminology that Mark and others used when it came to explaining what was going on. There was and is a discrepancy between how the Jews understood the Old Testament instructions regarding when to keep the Passover, and how it’s observance is presented in the New Testament. Editor’s Note: There is no difference between the Passover Observance in the Old Testament versus the New Testament. Passover in the Old Testament was observed on the latter part of the 14th as it turned into the 15th and that did not change in the New Testament. Passover has always been on the latter part of the 14th as it turns into the 15th of Nisan. Laura Lee As another related article explains, there was also a discrepancy even among various Jewish sects. The Sadduceean tradition differed from the Phariseean beliefs and practices on this matter as well. Request the article: “Passover Timing Considerations”. Editor’s Note: Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. Obviously, Christ was not following in the footsteps of the Sadducees since they did not believe in a resurrection, in angels or in spirit. Christ believed in a resurrection because he was resurrected and He is also a spirit. Mat 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. The above scripture backs up what God said in Psalms 60:7 and 108:8. From the Internet: The “seat of Moses” can refer to a symbolic position of teaching authority or to a literal chair in ancient synagogues where authorized teachers would sit. Jesus mentioned it in the Gospel of Matthew when instructing his followers to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees, who “sit in Moses’ seat”. The term represents the authority passed down from Moses to interpret and teach the Law, and it is associated with the Chorazin Synagogue‘s actual “Seat of Moses,” which is an ancient, carved stone chair. (End Quote) Laura Lee & Editor’s Note: We do not listen to video links or read print material that is linked to items we print, so we may or may not agree with those links. We only look at print material that is sent to us for print. Laura Lee ———————————————————————– Reprinted with permission from: Golden Sheaves https://www.goldensheaves.org/ ———————————————————————– [1] Ex. 12:15, 19-20; Ex. 23:18: “Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread;..” (Though some traditional Jews did de-leaven early.) [2] The Temple, Its Ministry and Services, Updated Edition, by Alfred Edersheim, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., Fourth Printing – June, 1998; page 173. |
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