Are There Two Passover Feasts in the Bible? (Numbers 9:11)
Question: According to Numbers 9:11, does the Bible mention two Passover celebrations in a single year?
Numbers 9:11 (NIV)
“They are to celebrate it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.”
Answer:
Yes, God commanded the Israelites to celebrate Passover every year on the 14th day of the first month of their calendar. This feast commemorated the night God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). It was a sacred and mandatory celebration for all Israelites.
However, in Numbers 9, we see God giving instructions for a second Passover, to be observed exactly one month later—on the 14th day of the second month. Why was this second date permitted?
It was intended only for those who were unable to participate in the first Passover due to:
- Being ceremonially unclean (especially from touching a dead body – Numbers 19:11),
- Or being on a long journey far from the assembly.
According to the law, anyone who was ritually unclean could not join the congregation in worship until they were cleansed, which often took at least seven days. As a result, some Israelites missed the first Passover.
God, in His mercy and justice, provided a way for them to still observe this important feast. Let’s read:
Numbers 9:10–12 (NIV)
[10] “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they may still celebrate the Lord’s Passover.
[11] They are to celebrate it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
[12] They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations.’”
This second Passover was a gracious exception—a chance for those who missed the original date not to be left out of the Lord’s appointed feast.
Should We Still Celebrate the Passover Today?
Under the New Covenant, we no longer observe Passover in a physical or ceremonial way as the Israelites did. That was a shadow of what was to come.
1 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)
“For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”
Jesus is our true Passover Lamb. His death fulfilled everything the original Passover symbolized: deliverance, protection through the blood, and freedom from slavery—this time from sin, not Egypt.
Therefore, we now live in a continuous state of spiritual Passover, walking daily in the freedom Christ purchased for us.
What About Valentine’s Day? Is It Similar to the Second Passover?
Some have tried to compare the February 14 celebration of Valentine’s Day to the second Passover found in Numbers 9, since both fall on the 14th day of the second month (according to the Gregorian calendar). However, this comparison is completely misguided.
- The Hebrew calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar.
The second month in the Hebrew calendar is not February. - The purpose and spirit of Valentine’s Day have no connection to God or biblical holiness.
Valentine’s Day is rooted in pagan traditions and emphasizes romantic love and sensual pleasures—things that often lead people away from God, not toward Him. - The love portrayed on Valentine’s Day is not the agape love of God.
The love God calls us to walk in is sacrificial, pure, and holy—totally different from the world’s portrayal of love.
Conclusion:
The second Passover was a special provision by God to allow His people to remain connected to Him, even when they missed the original feast. It was holy, set apart, and full of spiritual meaning.
Valentine’s Day, on the other hand, is not a biblical feast, nor is it inspired by God’s love. It is a worldly celebration, often leading to impurity, materialism, and carnal desires.
As believers, we are not called to blend heavenly truths with worldly customs. Let us reject pagan festivals and instead honor the Lord by living daily in the power of Christ’s Passover.
Romans 13:14 (NIV)
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Let us celebrate Christ’s sacrifice daily in spirit and in truth—not just on a date, but in the way we live.
Kindly share this truth with others who may be confused about these matters. May the Lord bless you and keep you.
The Importance of water Baptism
Baptism is a fundamental command in Christianity and should not be taken lightly. Since Satan understands its significance, he tries to prevent people from being baptized altogether or misleads them into receiving baptism improperly while making them believe it was done correctly.
There are many benefits of baptism, but today, we will focus on one key aspect: baptism delivers us from God’s judgment upon our enemies and the enemies of the Lord.
Baptism as a Symbol of Salvation
When God decided to save Noah, He used water to destroy the sinful world while keeping Noah and his family safe in the ark. The same water that brought judgment upon the wicked also ensured Noah’s safety. The Bible compares this event to baptism:
1 Peter 3:20-21
“…In the days of Noah, while the ark was being built, only a few people—eight in all—were saved through water. And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Similarly, when God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He used water once again. Instead of sending plagues or fire to destroy Pharaoh’s army, He led the Israelites through the Red Sea and drowned their enemies behind them. This event is also compared to baptism:
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
In both cases, water separated God’s people from their enemies. Likewise, baptism symbolizes our transition from a sinful past to a new life in Christ. It signifies the defeat of our spiritual enemies—sin, oppression, and demonic influences—while we emerge victorious in Christ.
Why Baptism Must Be in the Name of Jesus
The Bible states that the Israelites were “baptized into Moses” when they passed through the Red Sea. Moses was their leader, bringing them out of Egypt into the Promised Land. Today, Jesus is our Moses—the one who leads us out of spiritual bondage into eternal life.
For this reason, baptism must be done in the name of Jesus, as shown in:
Acts 2:38 – “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Acts 8:16 – “…They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 10:48 – “So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Acts 19:5 – “On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
If you were baptized by sprinkling or in a different name, consider correcting it by following the biblical example of believers in Acts 19:1-5, who were re-baptized in the name of Jesus.
Take the Step of Baptism Today
Baptism is essential, and there is no reason to delay. You do not need to go through special classes to qualify—faith is the only requirement. The Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 was baptized immediately after believing in Christ, without attending any preparatory lessons.
If you haven’t been baptized yet, find a church that baptizes by full immersion in the name of Jesus and take this important step. Baptism is free and an essential part of your spiritual journey.
Conclusion
Baptism is not just a religious ritual; it is a powerful act of obedience that marks a believer’s separation from their past life and entrance into a new life in Christ. It signifies salvation, deliverance, and a fresh start.
Take time to understand all the benefits of baptism and share this truth with others.
May the Lord bless you.
Maranatha!
