| In O.T. Accounts | At Last Supper and/or in Early Church | In Rabbinic Tradition | In Contemporary Judaism | As Applied in the Church Today |
| BONDAGE AND EXODUS | ||||
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God’s dealings with Israel — yearly celebration and remembrance (Ex. 12:24-27) |
Freedom in Christ from Bondage of sin (Romans 6:18) |
“In every generation let each man look on himself as though he himself came forth out of Egypt” (individuals to personalize the meaning of Passover) |
In the Soviet era, the plight of Russian Jewry was seen as a counterpart to ancient bondage in Egypt. Reform Judaism especially has always related Passover to general hopes for freedom for all peoples. |
God as Redeemer of lost humanity |
| THE LAMB | ||||
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One of the 3 items to be eaten at the Passover meal (Ex. 12:8) |
Christ is the Passover lamb (I Cor. 5:7) |
No tradition because not eaten at Passover since destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. |
Among Ashkenazic Jews (those of Eastern European origin) chicken often substituted; Sephardic Jews (those of Mediterranean, Spanish, and Middle Eastern origin) may continue to eat lamb |
Christ portrayed as “Lamb of God” |
| THE MAROR (Bitter Herbs) | ||||
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One of the 3 items commanded in Exodus 12:8 |
May have been the “sop” which Jesus handed to Judas |
Represents the bitterness of Egyptian slavery |
Eaten at the contemporary seder; given the same significance as in rabbinic tradition |
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| THE UNLEAVENED BREAD | ||||
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One of the 3 items commanded in Exodus 12:8 (called matzo) |
The body of Christ given in sacrifice (Luke 22:19);* Absence of sin (leaven) (I Cor. 5:8) |
Represents the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt (they could not wait for their bread to rise) |
Eaten at the contemporary seder and 7 days following in place of leavened bread; also year-round non-ceremonial use; given the same significance as in rabbinic tradition |
Many churches use matzo as Communion element |
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* Some Jewish scholars believe the afikomen ceremony may reflect an early messianic symbolism. Many Jewish believers today see this ceremony of breaking, burying, and retrieving a piece of matzo as a picture of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. |
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| THE CHAROSETH (A sweet mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon) | ||||
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Another possibility for Judas’ “sop” |
Represents the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to make bricks for Pharaoh |
Eaten at the contemporary seder; given the same significance as in rabbinic tradition |
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| THE CEREMONIAL CUPS | ||||
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The cup before the Last Supper (Luke 22:17-18); The cup after dinner (Luke 22:20); The cup of blessing represents the blood of Christ (I Cor. 10:16) |
Represents the four phrases in Exodus 6:6-7: “I will bring you out”; “I will deliver you”; “I will redeem you”; “I will take you to me for a people” |
Four cups taken at the contemporary seder; given the same significance as in rabbinic tradition |
One of the elements of Communion |
| THE KARPAS (Greens) | ||||
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Probably eaten at the Last Supper, but not specifically mentioned (greens were a likely part of festive meals during that time period) |
Dipped in salt water, they represent the lives of the Israelite slaves immersed in tears |
Eaten at the contemporary seder; given the same significance as in rabbinic tradition |
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