If Passover Was “Forever,” Do Christians Have to Keep It?

Quick Answer

What Does “Forever” Mean in Exodus 12?

The Hebrew word עוֹלָם (ʿolam) can describe time without end or a lasting duration whose scope comes from the context. Psalm 90:2 uses it of God’s everlasting existence. Exodus 21:6 uses it of an enslaved servant who chooses to remain with his master. The ESV translates the expression as “forever,” and the NIV renders it “for life.” In that case, the person’s lifetime gives the expression its scope.

Exodus 12:14 pairs a lasting ordinance with observance throughout Israel’s generations. Verse 24 again addresses the people and their children. “Forever” is a fair translation. God gave Israel a standing memorial of His rescue with no expiration date stated in the passage. The lifetime example shows why context matters. It gives us no reason to shorten the duration Exodus gives the feast.

Exodus 12:14, 24 and NET translation notes · Compare Exodus 21:6 and Psalm 90:2

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Did “One Law” Require Foreigners to Keep Passover?

Exodus 12:47 tells the whole community of Israel to observe Passover. Verses 48–49 address a resident foreigner, a gēr, who wishes to participate. The males in his household must be circumcised. He may then celebrate as a native of the land, under the same law. Numbers 9:13 gives a penalty for failing to keep Passover when clean and available. Verse 14 addresses the foreigner conditionally and requires the same rules for the observance. The NLT and NET express that conditional sense with language about wanting to participate.

Exodus 12:43–49 and Numbers 9:13–14

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What Did the Apostles Require of Gentile Believers?

Ephesians 2:11–22 says Jewish and Gentile believers are reconciled to God through the cross. Gentiles are fellow citizens and members of God’s household. A thoughtful Torah-observant Christian may say, “I trust Jesus alone to save me. I keep Passover because I believe God requires it of His people.” That raises a question about obedience after salvation, and Acts 15 addresses both issues.

In Acts 15:1, the dispute begins with a claim that circumcision is necessary for salvation. In verse 5, some believers go further and explicitly argue that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The council responds with a letter. It places no greater burden on Gentile believers beyond the requirements it names (vv. 23–29).

Ephesians 2:11–22 · Acts 15 · Acts 21:20–26 · “Moses Is Read Every Sabbath” — What Acts 15 Means

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What Changes When Jesus Fulfills the Law?

In Matthew 5:17–19, Jesus affirms the authority of the Law and the Prophets and says He came to fulfill them. Take that seriously. When a command is called enduring, what does faithful obedience look like in light of what Jesus has accomplished? Hebrews gives us a concrete example.

Exodus 29:9 describes the priesthood of Aaron and his sons as a perpetual statute. Yet Hebrews 7:11–14 says a change in priesthood brings a change in the law. Jesus comes from Judah and holds His priesthood permanently (vv. 23–28). Hebrews 10:10–14 describes His sacrifice as once for all. That example shows why the word perpetual alone cannot settle how an ordinance applies after Christ. For Passover, Paul gives us the direct connection when he identifies Christ as our Passover Lamb.

Matthew 5:17–19 · Exodus 29:9 · Hebrews 7 and 10 · Matthew 5:17–20: Jesus and the Law

What Does Paul Say About the Feast?

“Let us keep the feast” in 1 Corinthians 5

Paul uses those words in a passage about serious sin the church was tolerating. He calls Christ our Passover Lamb, compares wickedness to old yeast, and identifies the unleavened bread with sincerity and truth. Even if some Corinthians observed the feast, the instruction Paul gives here is to deal with sin and live as people Christ has redeemed. The passage supplies no date or instructions for an annual meal.

“Let no one judge you” in Colossians 2

The NIV and NET tell believers to let no one judge them with regard to a festival, new moon, or Sabbath. A Torah-observant reader may understand the criticism as directed at people for keeping those days. The wording leaves the direction of the criticism open. Paul grounds his instruction in Christ, to whom these observances point. Acts 15 and 21 address what the apostles required of Gentile believers. Colossians 2 gives the church a reason to resist judging one another over festival observance.

1 Corinthians 5:6–8 and Colossians 2:16–17 · Does 1 Corinthians 5:8 Mean Christians Must Keep Passover? · Does Colossians 2:16–17 Require Christians to Keep the Feasts?

Can Christians Remember Passover Today?

Yes. A Christian may take part in a Passover remembrance. Jewish believers may also honor Passover as part of their heritage. Deuteronomy 16:5–7 ties the Passover sacrifice to the place the Lord would choose. A remembrance meal today and the sacrifice prescribed there are distinct practices.

At His final meal with the disciples, which Luke presents as a Passover meal, Jesus gave them bread and a cup and told them to remember Him (Luke 22:14–20). When the church shares the Lord’s Supper, Paul says it proclaims Jesus’ death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). That gives every congregation a concrete way to remember the rescue to which Passover points.

Deuteronomy 16:5–7 · Luke 22:14–20 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 · Why the Lord’s Supper Replaced Passover

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