The Passion narratives center around which Jewish festival?

• A. Passover
• B. Pentecost
• C. Tabernacles
• D. Hanukkah

Answer: (A)

The events of Jesus’ passion are deeply linked to Passover. In the Gospel accounts, the Last Supper is presented as a Passover meal, and Jesus is crucified during the Passover week. This alignment reinforces the imagery of Jesus as the Passover lamb whose sacrifice delivers God’s people, mirroring how the original Passover commemorates liberation from Egypt. Because of this strong timing and symbolic connection, the Passion narratives are centered on Passover.

The other festivals—Pentecost, Tabernacles, and Hanukkah—have significant meanings in Jewish history, but they don’t anchor the Passion accounts in the same way. Pentecost recalls the giving of the Law at Sinai, Tabernacles recalls God’s guidance during the wilderness and harvest, and Hanukkah centers on temple rededication. None of these fit the Passion story as closely as Passover.