Woe to the Idolators
That call Passover (πάσχα = pascha) Easter,
The term Easter is from Old English ēastre, linked to a pagan festival (fertility goddess).
“If this offends you so be it, for I have offended you in teaching the true word of God”
Pastor Arnold Murray
Jeremiah 7:17 – 20
[17] Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?
[18] The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven (fertility goddess), and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
[19] Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
[20] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.
Ezekiel 8:14 – 18
[14] Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’s house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.
[15] Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.
[16] And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD’s house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
[17] Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.
[18] Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
Passover in the Book of Acts (KJV)
In the KJV, the term “Passover” appears explicitly in the Book of Acts in one key verse, and its translation is tied to the Greek text. Let’s examine it:
1. Acts 12:4 (KJV)
- Verse: “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”
- Context: This verse describes Herod Agrippa I imprisoning the Apostle Peter, planning to bring him to trial after a holiday. The KJV uses “Easter” here.
- Translation Issue:
- The Greek word in the original text is πάσχα (pascha), which means “Passover” and refers to the Jewish feast commemorating the Exodus (Leviticus 23:5).
- In the KJV, “Easter” is used instead of “Passover” in Acts 12:4, which is a notable translation choice and often considered a mistranslation by scholars.
- Why “Easter”?:
- The term “Easter” (from Old English ēastre, linked to a pagan festival) was likely used by the KJV translators to reflect a Christianized context, as early Christians associated Passover with Jesus’ resurrection (celebrated as Easter).
- However, the historical and textual context of Acts 12:4 points to the Jewish Passover (Nisan 14-15), not the later Christian Easter celebration.
- Most modern translations (e.g., NIV, ESV, NASB) correct this to “Passover”, aligning with pascha and the Jewish setting of Herod’s actions (circa 44 AD).
- Significance: This is the only verse in Acts where Passover (pascha) is referenced in the Greek, but the KJV’s use of “Easter” obscures the direct mention of Passover.
2. No Other Direct References
- The Book of Acts does not explicitly mention Passover (pascha) elsewhere in the KJV or Greek text. However, related terms or feasts may appear indirectly:
- Feast of Unleavened Bread: Often associated with Passover (Exodus 12:15-20), as the two are consecutive (Passover on Nisan 14, Unleavened Bread on Nisan 15-21). Acts 12:3 mentions “the days of unleavened bread” before Acts 12:4, reinforcing the Passover context:
- Acts 12:3 (KJV): “And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)”
- Greek: ἄζυμος (azumos), meaning “unleavened bread,” clearly ties to the Passover season.
- Pentecost: Acts 2:1 mentions Pentecost (ἡμέρα τῆς πεντηκοστῆς), the Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. While not Passover, it’s part of the Jewish festival calendar and indirectly relates to the Passover season.
- Feast of Unleavened Bread: Often associated with Passover (Exodus 12:15-20), as the two are consecutive (Passover on Nisan 14, Unleavened Bread on Nisan 15-21). Acts 12:3 mentions “the days of unleavened bread” before Acts 12:4, reinforcing the Passover context:
- Why Limited Mentions?: Acts focuses on the early Christian church’s spread, not Jewish festivals, so Passover is only mentioned in specific historical contexts (e.g., Herod’s actions in Acts 12).
Translation Details
- Greek Term: Pascha (Πάσχα) is consistently used in the New Testament for Passover, derived from Hebrew Pesach (פֶּסַח). It appears 29 times in the Greek NT, including Acts 12:4.
- KJV Translation:
- In most NT instances (e.g., Matthew 26:2, Luke 22:1), the KJV correctly translates pascha as “Passover”.
- Acts 12:4 is an exception, using “Easter”, likely due to the translators’ theological lens or cultural familiarity with Easter in 1611.
- Other Translations:
- NIV, ESV, NASB: Use “Passover” in Acts 12:4, aligning with pascha and the Jewish context.
- Young’s Literal Translation: Also uses “Passover” for accuracy.
- Implication: The KJV’s “Easter” in Acts 12:4 is a mistranslation, as the verse refers to the Jewish Passover, not the Christian Easter. This is a well-documented quirk in KJV scholarship.
Broader Context in Acts
- Jewish Festivals: Acts 12:3-4 occurs during the Passover/Unleavened Bread season, a time of heightened Jewish activity in Jerusalem, explaining Herod’s timing (to appeal to Jewish leaders).
- No Other Passover Mentions: Beyond Acts 12, Passover isn’t a focus in Acts, as the narrative shifts to Gentile missions and Christian practices. However, the early church’s Jewish roots tie Passover to Jesus’ death (1 Corinthians 5:7, “Christ our passover”).
- If You Meant Another Verse: If you’re thinking of a verse outside Acts 12:4 or another translation (e.g., NIV, not KJV), please specify. For example, Passover is prominent in the Gospels (e.g., John 19:14) but less so in Acts.