The Truth Behind Easter
A Journey from Passover to Pagan Traditions

Every year, as Easter approaches, many of us are familiar with the customs that accompany the celebration: egg hunts, the Easter bunny, and the joyful resurrection of Jesus Christ. But have you ever wondered why we associate these symbols, like egg-laying rabbits, with a Christian holiday? Or how the word “Easter” came about in the first place? Was it connected to the pagan deity Ishtar, or even to the resurrection of Christ? These questions have intrigued many, and in this article, we’ll explore the origins of Easter, its relationship to Passover, and the surprising historical shift that led to the celebration we know today.

The Origins of Easter and Passover

The real question is not whether Easter has pagan origins, but rather when Christians stopped observing Passover in favor of creating a new holiday altogether. This is a question that reaches back to the early days of Christianity. If we can find evidence, both in the Bible and in early Christian documents, showing that the early believers kept Passover and never dreamed of celebrating the Lamb of God any other way, then we have powerful evidence that, at some point, the Church strayed from its original path. And indeed, this evidence is irrefutable.

The early Christians did, without question, observe Passover. This is not a matter of debate but a historical fact. Even more importantly, it was the original intent of Jesus, or Yeshua (his name in Hebrew), to keep this tradition. In fact, Jesus himself commanded that we observe Passover, as he instructed at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In that sacred moment, Jesus connected the Exodus from Egypt to the redemption of all humanity from sin through the blood of the true Passover Lamb, which he would soon become.

Paul’s Support of Passover

The Apostle Paul also provides crucial evidence of the early Christian observance of Passover. In 1 Corinthians 5:8, Paul writes, “Therefore let us keep the feast of Passover, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clearly instructed believers to continue keeping the feast of Passover with sincerity and truth.

But what about the Gentile churches? Did they observe Passover too? Historical records show that the early Christians, including Gentiles, maintained the practice of celebrating Passover until it was outlawed by the Roman Church in 325 A.D. The first significant debate on this matter occurred in 193 A.D. between the Roman Church, which wanted to celebrate the resurrection on Easter, and the churches of the East, which preferred to follow the example of the disciples and observe Passover as the Bible instructed.

The Debate and the Roman Church’s Decision

At that time, the Roman Church, which harbored strong anti-Semitic sentiments, wanted nothing to do with anything considered “Jewish,” even if it was a direct command from Scripture. In their eyes, it was the Jews who had killed Jesus, so anything associated with Jewish tradition was to be avoided. Fortunately, we have the writings of Polycrates, the Christian bishop of Ephesus, from that period, where he firmly defended the continued observance of Passover. He wrote about the seven bishops before him, dating back to the Apostle John, who all observed the 14th day of Passover according to the Gospel.

But despite this, the Roman bishop, who presided over the debate, sought to excommunicate the churches in Asia Minor for their refusal to abandon the biblical practice of celebrating Passover. This disagreement would eventually be settled by Emperor Constantine, who, in 325 A.D., decreed that Easter would replace Passover. Constantine’s declaration set in motion the transformation of the Christian calendar, divorcing it from its Jewish roots.

Constantine famously stated, “For we have it in our power, if we abandon their custom [Passover], to prolong the due observance of this ordinance [Easter], to future ages by a truer order.” In his eyes, this change was necessary to distinguish Christianity from Judaism. The decision was final: Easter would become the primary Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ, while Passover was cast aside.

The Pagan Connection

One of the more controversial aspects of Easter is its possible connection to the pagan goddess Ishtar, from which the word “Easter” is thought to derive. Ishtar was a fertility goddess, and many ancient cultures associated her with springtime rituals that included symbols like eggs and rabbits. The question arises: Is there a connection between the Roman Easter and the pagan worship of Ishtar? While it’s difficult to establish direct links, the parallels are striking. The egg, a symbol of fertility, and the rabbit, an animal known for its reproduction, are common to both Easter and pagan traditions. Furthermore, Ishtar was also known as the “Queen of Heaven,” a title that bears a curious resemblance to the Christian title for Mary, the mother of Jesus.

These connections suggest that Easter, as we know it today, may have absorbed elements of older pagan festivals, which were later incorporated into the Christian calendar under Roman influence.

The Case for the Return to Passover

At the heart of this issue is the question of authenticity. Should Christians continue to follow the path set by the Roman Church, or should they return to the observance of Passover as instructed by Christ and his apostles? The Passover tradition is rich with symbolism that points directly to the sacrifice of Jesus. From the unleavened bread, representing purity, to the shank bone on the Seder plate, which symbolizes the Passover Lamb, every element of the Passover meal speaks to the life and death of Christ.

For example, the three pieces of matzah bread on the Seder plate represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The middle piece, traditionally broken, wrapped in linen, and hidden away for children to find, echoes the burial and resurrection of Jesus. This symbolism has been passed down through generations, yet it is largely overlooked by many Christians today who observe Easter.

Easter Versus Passover: A Symbolic Comparison

When comparing the traditions of Easter and Passover, we see a stark contrast. Easter includes symbols like the Easter bunny, Easter ham, and the sunrise service, none of which are found in the Bible. While both holidays celebrate the resurrection of Christ, only one is rooted in Scripture, and only one was faithfully observed by the early Christian community before it was supplanted by Roman decrees.

The decision to return to Passover, to celebrate it “in remembrance of Him,” may not be the most popular choice today, but it is undeniably the most biblically accurate. It is a return to the practices of Christ and the early Church, restoring the foundations of the Christian faith.

The Call to Rebuild Ancient Foundations

In times of spiritual renewal, God often calls His people to return to the foundations of their faith. Just as Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem to preserve God’s people, perhaps the Spirit is awakening Christians today to rebuild the ancient practices of our faith, preparing the way for the Lord’s return. Will you join in this call?

For more insights into the biblical significance of Passover and how it connects with the life and teachings of Jesus, visit Passion for Truth Ministries. Discover the profound connections between God’s feasts and the first and second comings of our Messiah.

Watch the full teaching here:
https://youtu.be/MMCrMRxbk4E