The Feasts of the Lord
Jesus in the Feasts
The Shadow and the Substance
Paul wrote that the festivals, new moons, and sabbaths of the Law were "a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (Colossians 2:17). Hebrews uses the same picture: the law had "a shadow of the good things to come" (Hebrews 10:1). A shadow is real. It has the shape of the thing that casts it. But it is not the thing itself.
On the road to Emmaus, after His resurrection, Jesus taught two of His followers from the Scriptures: "And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). This page sets the shadow beside the substance, feast by feast.
Every connection is labeled. Some are stated directly in the New Testament. Others are interpretations Christians draw from the patterns of Scripture. Colossians 2:16-17 is itself read in different ways: many Christians take it to mean the Sabbath and the feasts are fulfilled in Christ, while Seventh-day Adventists understand its "sabbaths" as the annual ceremonial sabbaths, distinct from the weekly Sabbath given at creation. This page presents the connections so you can see what the text says.
The Shadow and the Substance
Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretationFulfilled at His first comingFulfilled, with more aheadPointing to what is aheadContinuingLater festival
| Feast | The Shadow | The Substance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Every Week | |||
| The Weekly Sabbath שַׁבָּת | God rested on the seventh day and blessed it (Genesis 2:2-3). Israel stopped all work each week to remember creation and redemption (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:15). | Jesus called Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28) and offered rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28). "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9). Stated in the New Testament | Continuing |
Christians differ on whether the weekly Sabbath was itself a shadow. Seventh-day Sabbath keepers note that it was given at creation, before sin, and continues as a memorial of the Creator. | |||
The Spring Feasts | |||
| Passover פֶּסַח | A spotless lamb was slain, and its blood on the doorposts turned judgment away (Exodus 12:5-13). | "For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). He died at Passover, and not one of His bones was broken (John 19:36). Stated in the New Testament | Fulfilled at His first coming |
| The Feast of Unleavened Bread חַג הַמַּצּוֹת | For seven days all leaven was removed from Israel's homes (Exodus 12:15-20). | The sinless One, who "committed no sin" (1 Peter 2:22), lay in the tomb during the feast. His people are called to keep the feast "with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:8). Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretation | Fulfilled at His first coming |
| Firstfruits בִּכּוּרִים | The first sheaf of the barley harvest was waved before the LORD, the promise of the whole harvest (Leviticus 23:10-11). | "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). He rose on the first day of the week, during the feast. Stated in the New Testament | Fulfilled at His first coming |
| The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) שָׁבוּעוֹת | Fifty days were counted, and two loaves from the wheat harvest were offered to the LORD (Leviticus 23:15-17). | "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come," the Holy Spirit was poured out, and about three thousand believed (Acts 2:1-4, 41). Stated in the New Testament | Fulfilled at His first coming |
The Fall Feasts | |||
| The Feast of Trumpets יוֹם תְּרוּעָה | The seventh month opened with a day of trumpet blasts, a call to gather and prepare (Leviticus 23:24). | The return of Christ "with the trumpet of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16), when "the dead will be raised incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 15:52). Theological interpretation | Pointing to what is ahead |
| The Day of Atonement יוֹם כִּפּוּר | Once a year the high priest entered the Most Holy Place with blood, so that the people would be clean from all their sins before the LORD (Leviticus 16:30). | Christ "entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12), and now appears "in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24). Stated in the New Testament | Fulfilled, with more ahead |
Hebrews applies the Day of Atonement to Christ's sacrifice and priesthood. Many Christians, including Seventh-day Adventists, also see in it a final judgment and the end of sin still ahead. | |||
| The Feast of Tabernacles סֻכּוֹת | Israel lived in booths and rejoiced over the final harvest, remembering God's presence in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:40-43). | The Word "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), and the promise still ahead: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them" (Revelation 21:3). Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretation | Pointing to what is ahead |
| The Eighth Day שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת | After the seven days, one more sacred assembly, outside the cycle of the week (Leviticus 23:36). | "Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5): a new creation beyond the present age. Theological interpretation | Pointing to what is ahead |
Festivals from Later in Israel's History | |||
| Purim פּוּרִים | A hidden God preserved His people from a decree of death through a queen who risked her life (Esther 4:14-16). | Many Christians see a picture of Christ, who "always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25), and of God's faithfulness to preserve the people through whom the Messiah would come. Theological interpretation | Later festival |
| Hanukkah חֲנֻכָּה | The defiled Temple was cleansed and rededicated, and its light was relit (1 Maccabees 4:36-59). | At this feast Jesus called Himself the One "whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world" (John 10:36). He is "the light of the world" (John 8:12). Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretation | Later festival |
Every Week
The Weekly Sabbath
שַׁבָּת
The Shadow
God rested on the seventh day and blessed it (Genesis 2:2-3). Israel stopped all work each week to remember creation and redemption (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:15).
The Substance
Jesus called Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28) and offered rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28). "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God" (Hebrews 4:9).
Stated in the New Testament
Continuing
Christians differ on whether the weekly Sabbath was itself a shadow. Seventh-day Sabbath keepers note that it was given at creation, before sin, and continues as a memorial of the Creator.
The Spring Feasts
Passover
פֶּסַח
The Shadow
A spotless lamb was slain, and its blood on the doorposts turned judgment away (Exodus 12:5-13).
The Substance
"For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). He died at Passover, and not one of His bones was broken (John 19:36).
Stated in the New Testament
Fulfilled at His first coming
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
חַג הַמַּצּוֹת
The Shadow
For seven days all leaven was removed from Israel's homes (Exodus 12:15-20).
The Substance
The sinless One, who "committed no sin" (1 Peter 2:22), lay in the tomb during the feast. His people are called to keep the feast "with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:8).
Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretation
Fulfilled at His first coming
Firstfruits
בִּכּוּרִים
The Shadow
The first sheaf of the barley harvest was waved before the LORD, the promise of the whole harvest (Leviticus 23:10-11).
The Substance
"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). He rose on the first day of the week, during the feast.
Stated in the New Testament
Fulfilled at His first coming
The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
שָׁבוּעוֹת
The Shadow
Fifty days were counted, and two loaves from the wheat harvest were offered to the LORD (Leviticus 23:15-17).
The Substance
"When the Day of Pentecost had fully come," the Holy Spirit was poured out, and about three thousand believed (Acts 2:1-4, 41).
Stated in the New Testament
Fulfilled at His first coming
The Fall Feasts
The Feast of Trumpets
יוֹם תְּרוּעָה
The Shadow
The seventh month opened with a day of trumpet blasts, a call to gather and prepare (Leviticus 23:24).
The Substance
The return of Christ "with the trumpet of God" (1 Thessalonians 4:16), when "the dead will be raised incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 15:52).
Theological interpretation
Pointing to what is ahead
The Day of Atonement
יוֹם כִּפּוּר
The Shadow
Once a year the high priest entered the Most Holy Place with blood, so that the people would be clean from all their sins before the LORD (Leviticus 16:30).
The Substance
Christ "entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12), and now appears "in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).
Stated in the New Testament
Fulfilled, with more ahead
Hebrews applies the Day of Atonement to Christ's sacrifice and priesthood. Many Christians, including Seventh-day Adventists, also see in it a final judgment and the end of sin still ahead.
The Feast of Tabernacles
סֻכּוֹת
The Shadow
Israel lived in booths and rejoiced over the final harvest, remembering God's presence in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:40-43).
The Substance
The Word "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), and the promise still ahead: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them" (Revelation 21:3).
Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretation
Pointing to what is ahead
The Eighth Day
שְׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת
The Shadow
After the seven days, one more sacred assembly, outside the cycle of the week (Leviticus 23:36).
The Substance
"Behold, I make all things new" (Revelation 21:5): a new creation beyond the present age.
Theological interpretation
Pointing to what is ahead
Festivals from Later in Israel's History
Purim
פּוּרִים
The Shadow
A hidden God preserved His people from a decree of death through a queen who risked her life (Esther 4:14-16).
The Substance
Many Christians see a picture of Christ, who "always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25), and of God's faithfulness to preserve the people through whom the Messiah would come.
Theological interpretation
Later festival
Hanukkah
חֲנֻכָּה
The Shadow
The defiled Temple was cleansed and rededicated, and its light was relit (1 Maccabees 4:36-59).
The Substance
At this feast Jesus called Himself the One "whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world" (John 10:36). He is "the light of the world" (John 8:12).
Stated in the New TestamentTheological interpretation
Later festival
The Week That Fulfilled the Spring Feasts
14 Nisan · Passover
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified as the Lamb of God and dies at the ninth hour (Mark 15:34-37).15 Nisan · Unleavened Bread begins
His body rests in the sealed and guarded tomb (Matthew 27:59-66). His followers rest on the Sabbath according to the commandment (Luke 23:56).The first day of the week · Firstfruits (Sunday reckoning)
Early in the morning the tomb is empty. He is risen (Luke 24:1-6), the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).Forty days
The risen Jesus is seen by His followers "during forty days" (Acts 1:3), and then ascends to the Father.The fiftieth day · Pentecost
The Holy Spirit is poured out in Jerusalem, and the gospel begins to go out to every nation (Acts 2:1-41).
This timeline follows the common reading in which Jesus was crucified on Friday, 14 Nisan, and rose on Sunday. Scholars discuss how the Gospel accounts fit together, and the Firstfruits date depends on the Sunday reckoning.
The Hope Still Ahead
Theological interpretationThe spring feasts met their fulfillment in the first coming of Jesus of Nazareth, and the New Testament says so directly. Many Christians believe the fall feasts point to His second coming: the trumpet that calls the world to attention, the final judgment and the end of sin, and God dwelling with His people forever in a new creation.
Scripture does not lay out that sequence feast by feast, and Christians hold it in different forms. What the New Testament does promise plainly is the hope itself: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout" (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and "He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people" (Revelation 21:3).
No feast reveals the date of His return. Jesus said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36).
Every shadow points to a Person.
The feasts were previews of a story God was writing. The story has a name: Jesus of Nazareth. You can know Him.
Do You Know Jesus?Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.