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The EucharistDeep dive

Did Jesus celebrate the Passover a day early?

The Eucharist

The short answer

We don't know for sure, but the Gospels imply it: Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation, before the Seder. Since he wanted to share the Passover before his death, by his authority he could have eaten it a day early. The Dolorous Passion attributed to Anne Catherine Emmerich is not a reliable guide to these events.

The Dolorous Passion

The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, attributed to Anne Catherine Emmerich, is not reliable. It has enough theological problems that these writings were excluded from the study of her life for her beatification. Mel Gibson's use of unproblematic stories from it as embellishment was fine, but it is not authoritative.

What the Gospels imply

Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover (John 19:14). Jewish holy days begin at sundown the day before; if Passover began on the Sabbath that year (John 19:31), the Seder was eaten Friday evening.

Jesus' authority

It was important to Jesus to share the Passover with his disciples before he suffered (Luke 22:15-16). By his authority as God the Son (Matthew 7:28-29), he could have eaten it a day early, in anticipation of the feast. We do not know this for certain.