Passover begins in the book of Exodus, where the people of Israel were living in slavery under Egypt and cried out to God for deliverance (Exodus 1–2). In response, God raised up Moses to lead His people out, demonstrating His power through a series of signs and judgments against Egypt (Exodus 7–11). On the final night, God gave a specific instruction: each household was to sacrifice a lamb and place its blood on the doorposts of their home. When judgment came over Egypt, it would “pass over” the homes marked by the blood, sparing those inside (Exodus 12:3–13). 

This moment marked the beginning of Israel’s redemption—freedom from slavery and the start of a new identity as God’s people. God commanded that this event be remembered and retold every year through the Passover meal, known as the seder, so that each generation would understand His faithfulness and deliverance (Exodus 12:14, 24–27).

During the seder, symbolic elements such as unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and the Passover lamb help bring the story to life, allowing participants not only to remember what happened, but to experience the meaning behind it (Exodus 12:8, Deuteronomy 16:3). Passover is more than a historical event—it is a living reminder that God sees, hears, and redeems His people.

How does this point to Jesus?

For followers of Jesus, Passover carries an even deeper meaning. The Passover lamb, whose blood brought protection and deliverance, points forward to Jesus, who is called the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Just as the blood of the lamb caused judgment to pass over Israel, the sacrifice of Jesus brings forgiveness and redemption to those who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 5:7).

he timing is also significant—Jesus was crucified during Passover (Luke 22:7–20), connecting His death directly to the story of redemption that began in Exodus. In this way, Passover not only remembers what God did in the past, but also reveals a greater picture of salvation that continues to impact lives today.

What is on the Seder plate?

Zeroa: Roasted lamb shank bone symbolizes the Passover lamb that was sacrificed, also known as the korban pesach. It was roasted and eaten in a fraternal gathering on the night of the Passover seder.

Baytza: Some scholars believe the roasted egg represents an expression of mourning for our destroyed Temple. Others will say that the roasted egg represents eternal life and the renewal of springtime. OK, if it makes you feel good, and the cycle of life idea works for you, have a nice zen-like festival. The view to which I adhere (and believe makes historical and theological sense) suggests that the egg symbolizes the korban chagigah. At each of the pilgrimage festivals during the second Temple era, a festival sacrifice was eaten in larger groups.3 The first lamb was to be eaten entirely with no leftovers. This additional festival lamb, the chagigah, could be eaten during the second day if not used up at the seder (Passover “doggie-bags”).

Karpas: This represents the hyssop that was used to wipe the blood of the lamb on the doorpost. It was by this blood applied to the Jewish homes that the angel of death knew to “pass over” Jewish dwellings. The vegetable used might be parsley, celery, or even a radish. It is dipped in saltwater (which represents the tears shed by our people).

Charoses: The children of Israel were forced to make bricks for Pharaoh. This mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine, and spices serves to remind us of the mortar used in Egypt. PLEASE NOTE: A group of leading medical professionals have published a report warning that seder participants should not partake of both chopped liver and charoses together. Their findings suggest that doing so can lead to charoses of the liver.

Maror: The bitter herbs symbolize the bitterness of slavery. Although my family normally uses horseradish, the rabbis list their preferences as follows: romaine, horseradish, endive, or escarole. The logic is that the romaine first tastes sweet and then becomes bitter. The same was true for our experience in Egypt. It was pretty sweet at the start but became bitter under the later Pharaohs.

Hazeret: This element is sometimes added as additional maror. It is for the Hillel sandwich—koreikh. This consists of a piece of the bottom matzah mixed with bitter herbs. Numbers 9:11 speaks of “herbs” as plural. Not a bitter herb.4 So the hazeret may serve as a “belt and suspenders” in the world of bitter herbs. But we just use another sliver of horseradish.