The three pilgrim feasts in Judaism are Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Passover commemorates the exodus from Egypt, Pentecost marks the giving of the Torah, and Tabernacles remembers Israel's wandering in the wilderness. All three feasts are referenced or alluded to in the New Testament. Jesus' last supper was a Passover meal, Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit, and elements of Tabernacles are seen in Jesus' triumphal entry and the transfiguration.

1. The Three Pilgrim Feasts (Shalosh R’galim) and NT References/Allusions
Pilgrim Feasts Hebrew Name OT References Historical Commemoration Seasonal Celebration NT References
Christ was arrested during Passover
meal (Synoptics: Mt 26:17-19, Mk
14:12-16, Lk 22:7-13) and/or died on
Exodus 12-13
the Cross as the Passover lambs
Leviticus 23:4–14 Deliverance from Egypt First Sheaf of Barley
Passover Pesach were being sacrificed (Jn 13:1, 19:14,
Deuteronomy 16:1–8 and into the Promised Land (Spring)
31, 42)
Joshua 5:10-12
John and Paul refer to Jesus as the
sacrificial lamb (Jn 1:29, 19:36,
1 Cor 5:7-8)
Giving of Torah and making Descent of the Holy Spirit upon all
the covenant at Sinai believers at Pentecost (Acts 2);
Leviticus 23:15–21
Pentecost (acquired meaning, Grain (Wheat) Harvest The Spirit writes the Law in all
Shavuoth Deuteronomy 16:9–12
(Weeks) postexilic); the beginning of (Summer) human hearts (Jer 31:31-34) and
Israel’s sense of being the forms the church as the new People
People of God of God (the birthday of the church)
Jesus referred to himself as the
living water, during the dawn water
libation ceremony during this feast
(John 7)
Exodus 23:14-19, 34:22-24
Wanderings in the Elements of the feast (waving palm
Leviticus 23:33–36, 39-43
wilderness (and Yahweh’s branches) at Jesus’ triumphal entry
Feast of Numbers 29:12-38
protection and protection into Jerusalem, expressing the
Tabernacles Deuteronomy 16:13–15, 16-
during this time); later longing for messiah and national
(Booths) 17, 31:9-13
acquired meanings included independence (Mt 21:8, Mk 11:8, Jn
a.k.a. Succoth 1 Kings 8:2, 65; 12:32 Grape and Olive Harvest
hope for a Davidic messiah 12:13)
Feast of the (Sukkoth) 2 Chronicles 8:13 (Autumn)
and longing for national Peter desires to set up booths at the
Ingathering, Nehemiah 8
independence; Maccabean Transfiguration (Mt 17:4, Mk 9:5, Lk
Feast of the Lord, 1 Maccabees 4:54-59
rededication of the Temple 9:33)
the Feast 2 Maccabees 1:1-36
was during this feast (the Some scholars day “the Feast of the
Lamentations 2:6, 7
first Hannukah) Lord” is the source of “the Day of the
Hosea 12:9
Lord” – major theme in Scripture
Harvest imagery of the end time (Mt
9:37-38, 13:39, Jn 4:35, Rom 1:13,
Rev 14:15)
Prepared by Elizabeth Cole, November 13, 2011