Old Testament · Pentateuch
Exodus Chapter 12: The Passover and the Tenth Plague
The Passover and the Tenth Plague
Source: Catholic Bible (NABRE) · Commentary references the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and Church Fathers
What Is Exodus Chapter 12 About?
According to the Catholic Bible, God institutes the Passover on the night of the tenth plague — the death of every firstborn in Egypt. Each Israelite family must slaughter an unblemished male lamb, mark their doorposts with its blood, and eat the lamb's flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. When the angel of death sees the blood, he will 'pass over' that house. The lamb must be eaten entirely — none left until morning. No bone of it shall be broken. God commands that this meal be observed as a perpetual memorial throughout all generations. Pharaoh finally relents, and Israel is freed.
Key Verses from Exodus 12
“It is the LORD's Passover. (12:11)”
— Exodus 12 (NABRE)
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you. (12:13)”
— Exodus 12 (NABRE)
“This day will be a day of remembrance for you, which your future generations will celebrate with pilgrimage to the LORD. (12:14)”
— Exodus 12 (NABRE)
“You shall not break any of its bones. (12:46)”
— Exodus 12 (NABRE)
Key Themes in Exodus Chapter 12
The Paschal Lamb
According to Catholic theology, The Passover lamb is the most important Old Testament type of Christ. John the Baptist calls Jesus 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (Jn 1:29). Jesus dies at the hour the Passover lambs are slaughtered.
Blood of Salvation
According to Catholic theology, The blood on the doorposts saves from death — a foreshadowing of Christ's blood that saves from eternal death.
Memorial and Presence
According to Catholic theology, The Passover is not mere remembrance — in Jewish understanding, participants truly enter into the original event. This is fulfilled in the Eucharist.
Catholic Reflection on Exodus 12
Jesus chose the Passover meal as the setting for the Last Supper — not by accident. He is the true Passover Lamb: unblemished (sinless), slain for the liberation of God's people, his blood saving from death. The command 'no bone of it shall be broken' is fulfilled on the cross when the soldiers do not break Jesus' legs (Jn 19:36). Every Mass is a Passover meal — we eat the Lamb, are marked by his blood, and pass from death to life.
What the Catholic Church Teaches About Exodus 12
The connection between Passover and Eucharist is central to Catholic theology. The CCC teaches: 'The Eucharist of the New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Passover' (CCC 1340). Jesus' words 'Do this in remembrance of me' echo the Passover command to keep this feast as a perpetual memorial. Just as Israel ate the lamb (not just killed it), Catholics receive the Eucharist — the whole Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity.
References: Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), Church Fathers, Papal Documents
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 12
What is Exodus Chapter 12 about?▼
God institutes the Passover on the night of the tenth plague — the death of every firstborn in Egypt. Each Israelite family must slaughter an unblemished male lamb, mark their doorposts with its blood, and eat the lamb's flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. When the angel of death sees the blood, he will 'pass over' that house. The lamb must be eaten entirely — none left until morning. No bone of it shall be broken. God commands that this meal be observed as a perpetual memorial throughout all generations. Pharaoh finally relents, and Israel is freed.
What does the Catholic Church teach about "The Paschal Lamb" in Exodus 12?▼
According to Catholic teaching, The Passover lamb is the most important Old Testament type of Christ. John the Baptist calls Jesus 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (Jn 1:29). Jesus dies at the hour the Passover lambs are slaughtered.
What does the Catholic Church teach about "Blood of Salvation" in Exodus 12?▼
According to Catholic teaching, The blood on the doorposts saves from death — a foreshadowing of Christ's blood that saves from eternal death.
What does the Catholic Church teach about "Memorial and Presence" in Exodus 12?▼
According to Catholic teaching, The Passover is not mere remembrance — in Jewish understanding, participants truly enter into the original event. This is fulfilled in the Eucharist.
How does Exodus Chapter 12 connect to Catholic faith and practice?▼
The connection between Passover and Eucharist is central to Catholic theology. The CCC teaches: 'The Eucharist of the New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Passover' (CCC 1340). Jesus' words 'Do this in remembrance of me' echo the Passover command to keep this feast as a perpetual memorial. Just as Israel ate the lamb (not just killed it), Catholics receive the Eucharist — the whole Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity.
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