Passover is April 22 through April 30, and Easter is March 31. So here is a question and I would be interested in your thoughts and reasoning. ACTS 12:4 in the KJV has Herod intending to kill Peter after Easter. In the KJV, Mark 14:12 discusses the 'first day of unleavened bread when they killed the Passover… (KJV). Luke 22:1 feast of unleavened bread …which is called Passover; and 22:7 then came the day of unleavened bread when the passover must be killed (KJV). Matt 26:2 we see the word Passover (KJV); John 13:1 passover (KJV). Do any of you think that Herod was celebrating the Risen Christ? Or that the Jews were celebrating the Risen Christ? Maybe a pagan god/goddess such as the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring Eastra? Maybe Eostre which is Germanic and is linked to fertility, renewal, and the changing of the seasons? Doubtful to an emphatic no! (my opinion). Herod allowed the Jews to celebrate the Passover and days of unleavened bread. In the Geneva Bible which pre-dates the KJV and was not favored by King James, the celebration at Acts 12:4 was called Passover, as it is called in the NKJV, The Restoration Study Bible (fantastic bible) and almost all bibles. The days of unleavened bread begins with Passover and lasts 7 days. In context with Acts 12:1-3, seems to me Passover is correct. There was no Easter. I think the translators were attempting to Christianize the Jews celebration. So, did the KJV translators get it right or wrong? What is your opinion?
I just try to focus on the gospel and it’s message.
Well said and I heartily agree the message is more important.
Here are the KJV translation of Acts 12: 3-4:
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 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.
ONLY 4 major versions of the Bible use the word “Easter” in this verse (Acts 12:4), all other versions use the word “Passover”. However, since the previous verse (Acts 12:3) specified “the days unleavened bread”, there is no ambiguity of the days or times, JUST a matter of which word was used.
*** If some people don’t feel comfortable using the specific word (eg. “Easter”), then it would be good (for themselves) to use alternative words (eg. “Passover”): this would be good according to the principles of Bible teaching according to Romans 14 (as well as 1 Cor. 8):
(AMPC version) Romans 14: " As for the man who is a weak believer, welcome him [into your fellowship], but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions.
2 One [man’s faith permits him to] believe he may eat anything, while a weaker one [limits his] eating to vegetables.
3 Let not him who eats look down on or despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains criticize and pass judgment on him who eats; for God has accepted and welcomed him.
4 Who are you to pass judgment on and censure another’s household servant? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he shall stand and be upheld, for the Master (the Lord) is mighty to support him and make him stand.
5 One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike [sacred]. Let everyone be fully convinced (satisfied) in his own mind.
6 He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
7 None of us lives to himself [but to the Lord], and none of us dies to himself [but to the Lord, for]
8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord."
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(AMPC) 1 Corinthians 8: 13 "Therefore, if [my eating a] food is a cause of my brother’s falling or of hindering [his spiritual advancement], I will not eat [such] flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.
In Christ Jesus our Lord,
Many Blessings to ALL.
Thanks for consideration!
Nicely said and very informative.