Holy Week · Holy Thursday: Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper · Year C
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
The Passover
April 13, 2028
Overview & Insights
“The blood shall be a sign for you… and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” (Exodus 12:13)
Exodus 12 and 13 stand together as a single literary unit, describing the Passover ( pesakh ; lit., pass over). If we read this lengthy portion (12:1–13:16) in a simple linear fashion, it may seem oddly organized and redundant. The most we could say is that the length itself was part of what served to establish the exodus event and its perpetual observance in Israel’s memory and liturgical practice. It was indeed a primary formational event. We can understand the themes of this vital material even better, however, when we notice the internal structure and the relationships between the paragraphs. The text structurally braids together the three themes of protecting the precious firstborn, the Passover lamb, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in 12:1–13:16. The chiastic structure below reveals this pattern.
From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.
Take it further
Commentary
Commentary on Exodus 12:1-4 [5-10] 11-14 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on the first Passover, the RCL Maundy Thursday first reading.
Exodus 12 Commentary: God Institutes Passover Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse reading of the Passover lamb and the meal's instructions.
Exodus 12 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed compilation of notes and word studies on the Passover chapter.
Exodus 12:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregated classic commentaries on the LORD's instructions for the Passover.
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper Agape Bible Study
Catholic exegesis of the Passover reading as the pattern for the Eucharistic meal.
Background & Word Study
Exodus 12 | Sefaria Library Sefaria
Hebrew text of the Passover chapter with classical Jewish commentary.
Exodus 12:1 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word-by-word study of the Passover institution.
Book of Exodus Summary (Overview Video) BibleProject
Animated overview of Exodus 1 through 18, setting the Passover within the story of deliverance.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the Passover?
On the night of Israel's deliverance each household kills a lamb and marks the doorposts with its blood, and the Lord passes over them, a feast kept forever and fulfilled in Christ.
Prep at sermons.com
Ready to write?
- Full sermons on John 13:1-15
- Illustrations cleared for use in worship
- Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Trusted by pastors since 1995.
Free every Tuesday
Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox
The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.