Biblical feasts in the new testament
The New Testament mentions several biblical feasts that were observed by the early Christian church. Here are some of the most significant ones:
- Passover/Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:7-20): Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, which was a significant feast in Jewish tradition. This event is often referred to as the Last Supper, as it was the last meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion.
- Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47): Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was a significant feast in Jewish tradition that celebrated the giving of the Law to Moses. In the New Testament, Pentecost is described as the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, enabling them to speak in tongues and spread the gospel to the world.
- Tabernacles (John 7:2, 37-39): The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths, was a seven-day celebration in Jewish tradition that commemorated the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Jesus attended this feast and taught in the temple, but his teachings were met with opposition from the Jewish leaders.
- Dedication (John 10:22-23): The Feast of Dedication, also known as the Feast of Lights, was a celebration in Jewish tradition that commemorated the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean Revolt. Jesus attended this feast and had a conversation with the Pharisees about his identity.
- Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13): This feast was a seven-day celebration in Jewish tradition that commemorated the Israelites' hasty departure from Egypt. In the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples celebrated this feast before his crucifixion.
It's worth noting that the early Christian church continued to observe some of these feasts, but with a different emphasis. For example, the apostles and early Christians celebrated the Lord's Supper (also known as the Eucharist or Communion) as a memorial of Jesus' death and resurrection, rather than as a Jewish feast.