Episode 314 examines an apparent contradiction between the Synoptic Gospels and John concerning the timing of Jesus’ Last Supper and his crucifixion. Matthew, Mark, and Luke appear to present the Last Supper as the Passover meal, while John seems to place Jesus’ death before the Passover meal.
Lance Smith examines the biblical terminology, the meaning of the “day of preparation,” the possibility of additional festival meals, and the theory that different calendar traditions may explain the apparent discrepancy. The conclusion is that the Gospel accounts present a genuine chronological difficulty, but not necessarily a contradiction.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
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The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
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Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
- Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “Was Jesus crucified before or after the Passover meal?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/passover_meal.html
- Wayne Jackson, “Did Jesus Eat the Passover Supper?” Christian Courier. https://christiancourier.com/articles/did-jesus-eat-the-passover-supper
- Thomas Brewer, “Does John’s Last Supper Chronology Differ from the Other Gospels?” Ligonier Ministries, April 30, 2024; republished April 14, 2026. https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/does-last-supper-chronology-differ
- Jimmy Akin, “Was the Last Supper a Passover Meal?” https://jimmyakin.com/was-the-last-supper-a-passover-meal
- Ian Paul, “Do the gospel accounts of Holy Week make sense?” Psephizo, April 15, 2025. https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/do-the-gospel-accounts-of-holy-week-make-sense/
- Barry D. Smith, “The Chronology of the Last Supper,” Westminster Theological Journal 53:1 (1991): 29–45. https://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/wtj/chronology_smith.pdf
- Elon Gilad, “Was Jesus’ Last Supper Truly a Passover Seder?” Haaretz, April 17, 2024. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-17/ty-article/.premium/was-jesus-last-supper-truly-a-passover-seder/0000018e-eaaa-d35c-a39e-fbeb130d0000
- Jonathan Klawans, “Was Jesus’ Last Supper a Seder?” Bible History Daily, Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/was-jesus-last-supper-a-seder/
