Why is Passover on two different days in the sunrise reckoning?

The Exodus and the Crucifixion: A Problem with Chronology

Many lunar Sabbatarians today are adopting the

reckoning of the day that begins at sunrise. In Which reckoning of the day is correct?
addition, many of those observe 12 hours for
Shabbat, instead of the 24 hours that many of us
have been taught. Which is correct? Does the day Sunset Reckoning of the Day?
begin at sunrise or sunset. Is Shabbat to be
observed for 12 hours or 24? Does night come
before day, or is it the other way around?

The chronology of the Passover, Exodus, and the Sunrise Reckoning of the Day?
Crucifixion may provide some answers. Or in the
end, will it just raise more questions?

The Scriptures tell us that Passover is to be Sunset Reckoning of the Day

observed beginning just after sunset on the 14th
day of the 1st month. In a sunset reckoning of the
14th Day
day, this point in time is shown by the “P” in the
adjacent diagram.

Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the

fourteenth day of the same month: and the
P
whole assembly of the congregation of Israel
shall kill it in the evening.
Notice the command says to keep the lamb UNTIL the
14th day , not to the middle of the day.

In a sunrise reckoning of the day, Passover is Sunrise Reckoning of the Day

observed just after sunset, beginning of the night 14th Day
or dark period, in the middle of the 24 hour day.
Note the “P” in adjacent diagram. Is this the
correct interpretation of the command for
Passover and the sunrise reckoning of day? P
Since Exodus 12:6 can be interpreted to
demonstrate either a sunrise or sunset reckoning
of the day, at this point, it does not serve the
argument well enough to resolve the question of
P
when the day begins. P

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The Exodus Passover and Sunrise Sunrise Reckoning of the Day

Since the Exodus period is where the Passover event

14th Day
was first commanded by Yah to Moses, let us look at
those details first. Those holding the sunrise conviction
have one point in time to place the Exodus Passover
event, just after sunset, at the beginning of the night or
dark period, on the 14th day. Exodus 12:6 commands P
this is where the Passover would be in a sunrise
reckoning of the day. Is this the correct placement of
the Exodus Passover event? Let’s explore further.

The Exodus Passover and Sunset Sunset Reckoning of the Day

In the sunset reckoning of the day, the Exodus

14th Day
Passover event is placed at the beginning of the 24
hour period, just after sunset, beginning of the night
or dark period. Note that it is not placed in the middle
of the 14th day as in the sunrise reckoning. Exodus
12:6 commands that the killing of the lamb and the
Passover event commence at the beginning of the
P
14th day and not the middle of the 24 hour period. Is
this then, the correct placement of the Exodus
Passover event? How do we determine the correct
placement?

The Crucifixion Passover and Sunrise Sunrise Reckoning of the Day

Lets take a look now at the events surrounding the

14th Day
Crucifixion. The Scriptures tell us that Yahshua was
crucified on the 14th day and died about the 9th hour
or 3PM in the afternoon. This is shown by the “C” in
the adjacent diagram in a sunrise reckoned day.
C P
The Crucifixion Passover and Sunset Sunset Reckoning of the Day
In a sunset reckoned day, the crucifixion occurs on
the afternoon of the 14th day, about the 9th hour
14th Day
which would be around 3 PM. This is indicated by the
“C” in the adjacent diagram. Notice that in both
reckonings of the day of the crucifixion, both events
are still on the same day, the 14th day of the month.
P C
Which reckoning of the day is correct? 14th Day
Since both the passover and crucifixion can be
interpreted to be on the same 14th day, neither sunrise
or sunset reckoning of the day can be proved to be the
C P
correct model at this time. Let’s keep digging.
P C
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Yahshua’s Passover and Sunset Sunset Reckoning of the Day
Lets see what happens when we consider Yahshua’s
last Passover with His disciples.
14th Day
In the sunset reckoning of the day, Yahshua’s Passover
with His Disciples would be in the same point in time
that the Exodus Passover is shown to be in. Notice that P E
all of the events of the Passover, the Exodus (E) and
the Crucifixion occur on the same day, the 14th day of
the 1st month, in a sunset reckoning of the day.
P C
Yahshua’s Passover and Sunrise Sunrise Reckoning of the Day
When we look at Yahshua’s last Passover in the
sunrise reckoning of the day, we notice an
13th Day
unavoidable shift in placement of the Passover event.
Because the crucifixion is on the afternoon of the
daytime period, Yahshua’s last Passover is forced to
the evening of the 13th day. In fact, all of the events
of the night of the 14th day, ie Gethsemane,
P 13th 14th C 14th
Yahshua’s arrest, beginning of trial, etc., are all
forced into the night of the 13th.

Did Yahshua disobey the command of scripture to Sunrise Reckoning of the Day
observe the Passover on the 14th day by observing it
on the evening of the 13th, according to the sunrise 13th Day
reckoning?
Consider this; if the 14th is the correct placement for Crucifixion Exodus
the Passover event, what then is the event on the Passover Passover
13th? Was Yahshua’s Passover with His disciples on
the 13th in violation of the command for the Passover P 13th 14th CP 14th
to be observed on the 14th?

Which way is it? Is the 14th day just after sunset the
14th Day Sunset Reckoning
correct placement for the Passover event? Or is it on
the evening of the 13th? Is there one Passover on the P C
14th for the Exodus, and another on the 13th for the
Crucifixion? Is the Passover on the 14th day in the
sunrise reckoning of the day, really the correct 13th & 14th Day Sunrise Reckoning
interpretation of scripture. Is Yahshua’s Passover
with His disciples on the evening of the 13th day the
correct interpretation of the scripture?
P 13th 14th CP 14th

Where is the reference or support in scripture for any part of the Passover
chronology to be observed on the 13th day? There are several references to
the “thirteenth” or “thirteenth day” in scripture, but none of them occur in
reference to the Passover or in Exodus 12. So why is Yahshua’s last
Passover, the most significant in history, on the 13th day?

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 Scriptural Refs to observe Passover on the Scriptural Refs for Yahshua’s Passover (cont)
14th Day of the 1st month of Abib
(Mat 26:18) And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and
(Exo 12:6) And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep
same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of the Passover at thy house with my disciples.
Israel shall kill it in the evening.
(Mat 26:19) And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed
(Exo 12:18) In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the them; and they made ready the Passover.
month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and
twentieth day of the month at even. (Mar 14:1) After two days was the feast of the Passover, and
of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes
(Lev 23:5) In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to
LORD'S passover. death.

(Num 9:3) In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall (Mar 14:12) And the first day of unleavened bread, when they
keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, killed the Passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou
and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it. that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the Passover?

(Num 9:5) And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of (Mar 14:14) And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the
the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the
that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel. guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my
disciples?
(Num 9:11) The fourteenth day of the second month at even
they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter (Mar 14:16) And his disciples went forth, and came into the
herbs. city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready
the Passover.
(Num 28:16) And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the
passover of the LORD. (Luk 22:1) Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh,
which is called the Passover.
(Jos 5:10) And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept
the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the (Luk 22:7) Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the
plains of Jericho. Passover must be killed.

(2Ch 30:15) Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day (Luk 22:8) And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare
of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were us the Passover, that we may eat.
ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt
offerings into the house of the LORD. (Luk 22:11) And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house,
The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber,
(2Ch 35:1) Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?
Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of
the first month. (Luk 22:13) And they went, and found as he had said unto
them: and they made ready the Passover.
(Ezr 6:19) And the children of the captivity kept the passover
upon the fourteenth day of the first month. (Luk 22:15) And he said unto them, With desire I have desired
to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:
(Est 9:15) For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered
themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month (Joh 18:28) Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of
Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into
they laid not their hand. the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they
might eat the Passover. (Note the confusion in this verse
Scriptural Refs for Yahshua’s Passover because of the merging of the terms of the events)

(Joh 19:14) And it was the preparation of the Passover, and

(Mat 26:17) Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread
about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your
the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou
King!
that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover?

Paul W Puckett Aug 4 2010