Nisan 14: The Lamb Is Slain — Passover Fulfilled in the Body of Messiah
On the day the lambs were slain in Egypt and in the Temple, Yeshua fulfilled prophecy — sharing the Last Supper, praying in Gethsemane, and giving His life before sundown.
This is part of a 13 part series click here to start at the beginning.
Nisan 14 – The Lamb Is Slain
Last Supper, Gethsemane, trial, crucifixion, and burial — all before sundown
(Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening)
As twilight ushered in Nisan 14, the day of Passover preparation, the final countdown reached its appointed hour. This was the very day Yahweh had commanded Israel to slaughter a spotless lamb as a memorial of deliverance from Egypt. But now, that shadow met its substance. The true Lamb of God would be slain.
The Last Supper — Covenant Renewed
That evening, Yeshua reclined at the table in an upper room with His disciples. They shared the traditional Passover meal — with unleavened bread, wine, and remembrance. But Yeshua infused it with new covenant meaning:
“This is My body, given for you… This is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
— Luke 22:19–20, Matthew 26:26–28
This was not the start of a new religion. It was the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) — not sealed with the blood of animals, but with the blood of Messiah.
Betrayal in the Night
During the meal, Yeshua revealed that one among them would betray Him. Judas Iscariot, having already conspired with the priests, slipped out into the night:
“And it was night.”
— John 13:30
The darkness outside mirrored the growing shadow of betrayal within.
Gethsemane — The Weight of the Cup
After singing a hymn, they walked to the Mount of Olives, to a place called Gethsemane — the olive press. There, Yeshua knelt in anguish and prayed:
“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
— Luke 22:42
His sweat fell like blood. The weight of the world was upon Him.
Soon, Judas arrived with soldiers and guards. With a kiss, the betrayal was sealed (Luke 22:47–48). The Lamb was now in the hands of sinful men.
Trials Through the Night
That night, Yeshua endured a series of illegal trials:
Before Annas, then Caiaphas, then the Sanhedrin
With false witnesses contradicting each other
Struck, mocked, and condemned before dawn
At daybreak, He was handed to Pontius Pilate. Though Pilate found no fault in Him, political pressure prevailed. Yeshua was scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked — and sentenced to crucifixion (John 19:1–16).
The Crucifixion — Tamid Fulfilled
At the third hour (9:00 AM), Yeshua was nailed to the stake (Mark 15:25) — the exact time of the morning Tamid sacrifice in the Temple (Exodus 29:38–39).
From noon to 3:00 PM, darkness fell over the land. Then, at the ninth hour, as the evening Tamid sacrifice was being offered — and as Passover lambs were being slain — Yeshua cried out and gave up His spirit:
“It is finished.”
— John 19:30
At that moment:
The veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)
The earth shook, tombs broke open
A Roman centurion declared:
“Surely this man was the Son of God!”
— Mark 15:39
The Burial Before Sundown
As sunset approached, Jewish leaders asked for the bodies to be removed before the High Sabbath (the first day of Unleavened Bread).
Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, asked for the body. With Nicodemus, he wrapped it in linen and laid it in a nearby tomb (John 19:31–42). The women watched and prepared to return after the Sabbath.
What Nisan 14 Fulfilled
Passover Lamb slain at the appointed time (Exodus 12:6)
New covenant instituted at the Last Supper
Tamid offerings fulfilled — morning and evening
Temple veil torn — access to Yahweh restored
Burial before High Sabbath — aligning with Leviticus 23