Originally posted by Hypatia_Alexandria
View Post
At the time the Jews reckoned the day to begin at dusk when the first stars were visible. All four gospels recount a final dinner being shared but it should be noted the Synoptics writers’ depiction of this meal is vastly different from that provided by the writer of John. In John's narrative we have Jesus making long speeches and inserting a “new” commandment to love one another [which as Geza Vermes notes was not actually new at all]. However, the writer gives no precise date for this meal beyond it taking place before the feast of Passover. It has been noted that the subsequent narrative of John’s gospel suggests that this event occurred at the start of 14 Nisan the day before the Jews celebrated the Passover, thereby implying that this last meal was not a Passover meal. By contrast, the occasion, as presented by the Synoptic writers, is quite definitely a Passover dinner. See Mark 14.12-14; Matt 26.17-19, Luke 22.15. Hence, after sunset, at the start of 15 Nisan the Synoptics have Jesus and his disciples celebrating what is now known as the Seder meal.
Comment