πάσχα (pascha)
pascha
Passover lamb
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word pascha refers to the Passover, encompassing the festival itself, the meal shared during it, and the sacrificial lamb. Borrowed from Aramaic, it appears in the New Testament to describe the annual celebration that commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, particularly the night the destroying angel passed over homes marked by the animal’s blood.
In the Gospels, pascha anchors the narrative of Jesus’ final week. The Synoptic writers use it to mark the preparation and eating of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17–19; Mark 14:12), while John places the crucifixion at the precise moment the temple lambs were being slaughtered for the feast (John 19:14). This timing is not accidental; Paul explicitly identifies Christ as the paschal lamb sacrificed for believers (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The word’s theological weight lies in this connection between the ancient ritual and Jesus’ death. By linking the Passover lamb to the crucifixion, the New Testament presents Jesus’ sacrifice as the fulfillment of the Exodus event, offering deliverance from sin rather than just physical bondage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pascha anchors the story of Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem. It marks the meal shared with his friends and the moment he gave his life. This connection shows that his death was not a random tragedy but the fulfillment of an ancient promise. The blood that saved Israel from Egypt now points to the sacrifice that saves believers from sin.
For your faith, this means deliverance is complete. You are not left to fight spiritual battles alone. Christ’s work provides freedom from guilt and fear. This hope rests on what God has done, not on your own strength.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Passover16×
- Passover.5×
- Passover?2×
- Passover,2×
- Passover lamb2×
- Passover;1×
- Passover lamb.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πάσχα18×
- πάσχα.¶3×
- πάσχα.3×
- πάσχα,2×
- πάσχα·1×
- πάσχα;¶1×
- πάσχα;1×
Key Verses
-
John 19:14
Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”
This verse places the crucifixion at the exact moment temple lambs were slaughtered, linking Jesus directly to the Passover sacrifice.
-
Matthew 26:18
He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”
Jesus declares his time is near and he will keep the Passover with his disciples, showing his intentional participation in the feast.
-
Luke 22:15
He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
Jesus expresses a deep desire to eat this specific Passover before suffering, highlighting its significance for his mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pascha mean in the New Testament?
How is pascha different from other words for feast?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (27 verses across 7 books)
Matthew 4 verses
“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Matthew 26:17Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare…
Matthew 26:18He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the…
Matthew 26:19The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover.