That Thou Might Be Justified in Thy Sayings - Part 878

Again, believers are being misled from the real truth of the gospel because modern biblical translations are presenting scripture to the public that is not accurate. For example, in more recent versions of the Bible, the word Easter has been replaced with the word Passover.  This is important since Easter, originally celebrated as a pagan holiday, is mentioned only once in the original text and King James version.

We know this because the scriptures clearly state that Peter was arrested during the days of unleavened bread. (Acts 12:1-4)

"Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 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." (Acts 12:1-4)

Note that Peter had been captured during the days of unleavened bread. In order to see how these days compare chronologically to the passover, we need to review Leviticus 23:4-6. These verses state that the passover occurs on the 14th day of the month and the feast of unleavened bread on the 15th day of the same month. 

"These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the Lord: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread."  (Leviticus 23:4-6; Numbers 28:16-18)

It is after passover and the days of unleavened bread that Herod celebrates pagan Easter. Note here that Herod did not kill Peter during the days of unleavened bread, preferring instead to wait until Easter. There must have been a reason for this. Certainly, precedents had already been established for killing "certain of the church" during regular festivals and celebration. (Acts 12:1) 

We definitely know that Herod killed John the Baptist as part of Herod's birthday celebration. (Matthew 14:1-12) James was killed during the days of unleavened bread. (Acts 4:2-4) And Jesus too was crucified and His body removed from the cross "for that sabbath day was an high day." (John 13:1; John 19:1-14; John 19:29-31) 

Earlier, Jesus had said, "Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." (Matthew 26:2; Mark 14:1) Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas ... and consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill Him. But they said, "Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people." (Matthew 26:1-5) 

We then read about the woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment who proceeded to pour it on Jesus' head. After this, Judas sought his opportunity to betray Jesus.

In terms of timing, "now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus saying unto Him, "Where wilt Thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover." Jesus answered, saying: "Go into the city to such a man, and say unto Him, "The Master saith, "My time is at hand." I will keep the passover at thy house with My disciples." (Matthew 26:14-18; Mark 14:12) 

"And His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as He had said unto them; and they made ready for the passover." (Mark 14:16-17) And the rest as we know --- Jesus rising early on the first day of the week -- is confirmed later in the scriptures.

But with Peter, it was evident that Herod wanted to wait until his own pagan festival (known as Easter) to kill Peter. Thus, an accurate Bible would have to use the word Easter here and not passover if its purpose was to make the scriptures chronologically correct.

"And when he had apprehended him, he put [Peter] in prison, and delivered [Peter] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people." (Acts 12:4)

This is why in this day and age, it is important to study the scriptures at every opportunity -- like a workman -- to show ourselves approved. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me and you will not come to Me that ye might have life." (Matthew 5:39-40)

Finally, don't be fooled by any religious teachings that do not align accurately with the Word. Indeed, "let God be true, but every man a liar." As it is written, "That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." (Romans 3:4) Stand in the offering plate.