What day of the week was Pentecost?

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The day of Pentecost, celebrated as the birth of the Christian Church, is a significant event described in the Bible. Understanding which day of the week Pentecost fell on involves delving into biblical texts and the Jewish calendar. This study will explore the biblical background, Jewish traditions, and scholarly interpretations to determine the day of the week Pentecost occurred.

The Biblical Background of Pentecost

Pentecost in the Old Testament

Pentecost, known as the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) in the Old Testament, is a major Jewish festival celebrated 50 days after the Passover Sabbath.

  • Leviticus 23:15-16: “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.”

This passage instructs the Israelites to count seven Sabbaths (weeks) from the day after the Sabbath during Passover, and then on the fiftieth day, they are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks.

Pentecost in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Pentecost marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, fulfilling Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit.

  • Acts 2:1-4: “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The event of Pentecost described in Acts is pivotal in Christian history, marking the beginning of the Church’s mission to spread the gospel.

Determining the Day of Pentecost

The Counting Method

To determine the day of the week Pentecost fell on, we need to understand the counting method described in Leviticus.

  • Leviticus 23:15-16 (Revisited): “And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.”

The counting begins “the day after the Sabbath” during Passover, which is a Sunday, as the Sabbath is Saturday. Therefore, counting fifty days from this Sunday, including that day, brings us to another Sunday.

Confirmation from Jewish Tradition

Jewish tradition and historical practice provide additional confirmation of the timing.

  • Philo of Alexandria, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, confirms this practice: “The festival of the first fruits of the grain, the greatest of all festivals, falls on the fiftieth day, counting from the day following the Feast of Unleavened Bread.”

Philo’s writings align with the biblical instruction of counting from the day after the Sabbath, pointing to a Sunday.

Unfortunately, some people use this ceremonial day as a justification for going to church and worshiping on Sunday thus ignoring the seventh day Sabbath of the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11).  They ignore the fact that there is not a single verse in the Bible that says to keep Sunday (or the first day of the week) Holy. Sunday is a man-made tradition (Matthew 15:9).

Historical and Liturgical Observations

Historical Observations

Historically, the celebration of Pentecost on a Sunday has been consistently observed by the Christian Church, aligning with the Jewish method of counting and the early Christian practice.

  • Early Church Fathers such as Tertullian and Augustine reference the celebration of Pentecost on the fiftieth day, underscoring its consistent observance on a Sunday.

Conclusion

Based on the biblical texts, Jewish tradition, New Testament context, and historical and liturgical observations, it is evident that Pentecost falls on a Sunday. The counting of fifty days from the day after the Passover Sabbath, as prescribed in Leviticus, consistently leads to a Sunday celebration. This day is significant in Christian tradition, marking both the resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, symbolizing new beginnings and the fulfillment of divine promises.

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In His service,
BibleAsk Team

BibleAsk
Author: BibleAsk

The BibleAsk Team is a group of dedicated individuals passionate about answering your Bible questions with clear and accurate answers from Scripture. Their mission is to share God’s truth, encourage personal study of His Word, and help people grow in their knowledge of the Bible and their relationship with Christ.

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