Why "Easter" in Acts 12:4 Is Correct: The KJV's Accurate Translation vs. Modern Bible Errors
Have you ever wondered why the King James Bible uses the word "Easter" in Acts 12:4 when modern translations like the NIV, ESV, and NASB use "Passover" instead? Is this a translation error in the KJV, or did the translators of the 1611 Authorized Version actually get it right?
This controversy has sparked heated debates among Bible scholars, translators, and everyday Christians for years. Most modern Bible versions claim the KJV made a mistake here, but what if the evidence suggests otherwise?
The Passage in Question
Let's examine Acts 12:1-4 in the King James Bible:
"Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people."
Modern translations replace "Easter" with "Passover," arguing that the Greek word used here is "pascha," which typically refers to the Jewish Passover. But is there more to the story?
Four Key Events We Need to Understand
To grasp the significance of this translation choice, we need to recognize four distinct events:
Passover - A one-day event (14th day of first month)
Days of Unleavened Bread - A seven-day feast (15th-21st of first month)
Easter - A pagan Roman festival
Resurrection of Christ - A different event entirely from pagan Easter
The Biblical Timeline Makes "Passover" Impossible
The key to understanding Acts 12:4 correctly lies in the phrase "Then were the days of unleavened bread" in verse 3. This clearly indicates that Passover had already occurred, as the Days of Unleavened Bread always followed Passover.
Let's examine several scriptures that establish this order:
Ezekiel 45:21
"In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten."
Numbers 28:16-17
"And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten."
Ezra 6:19, 22
"And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month... And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy..."
These passages clearly show that Passover was a one-day event on the 14th of the month, followed by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread from the 15th to the 21st.
The Contextual Problem with "Passover"
If we substitute "Passover" in Acts 12:4, the verse becomes illogical:
"Then were the days of unleavened bread... intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people."
This creates a contradiction because:
The Days of Unleavened Bread always came after Passover
The text clearly states they were already in the Days of Unleavened Bread
Therefore, Passover had already passed
How could Herod be waiting for something that had already happened?
What Was Herod Actually Waiting For?
The answer becomes clear when we understand the historical context. Herod, a pagan ruler who observed Roman traditions, was waiting for the pagan festival of Ishtar (Easter), not the Jewish Passover that had already concluded.
This pagan celebration:
Was not fixed to a specific date like Passover
Typically occurred after the spring equinox and first full moon
Could fall between March 22 and April 25
Involved the worship of Ishtar (also known as Astarte or the Queen of Heaven)
Celebrated the supposed resurrection of Tammuz, a pagan deity
Historical Evidence for "Easter" as the Correct Translation
The King James translators weren't the first to use "Easter" in this passage:
In 1522, Luther's German translation used "Oster" (German for Easter)
In 1526, William Tyndale used "Easter" (ironically, Tyndale is credited with inventing the English word "Passover")
In 1539, the Coverdale Bible used "Easter"
In 1557, the Geneva Bible used "Easter"
In 1568, the Bishops' Bible used "Easter"
These translators understood the historical and contextual reality that Herod, as a pagan ruler, would have been observing the pagan festival, not the Jewish Passover that had already occurred.
The Greek Word "Pascha" Can Mean Both
While critics argue that "pascha" should always be translated as "Passover," historical lexicons show this isn't consistently true:
Alexander Hislop's work "The Two Babylons" notes that "pascha" could refer to Easter
The Oxford Greek Dictionary includes "Easter" as a translation for "pascha"
Context must determine the translation, not merely the word itself.
Christ Is Our Passover
While defending the accuracy of the KJV translation, we must remember what truly matters - that Christ is our Passover sacrifice:
"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7)
While Herod and pagan Rome celebrated their false festivals with idolatry, we celebrate the true resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again on the third day.
Conclusion: The Translators Got It Right
The evidence shows that "Easter" in Acts 12:4 is not a mistake, but an accurate translation based on:
The biblical timeline (Passover was already past)
Historical context (Herod observed pagan Roman festivals)
Lexical evidence ("pascha" could refer to either celebration)
The logical reading of the passage
This case demonstrates why the King James Bible remains a trustworthy and accurate translation despite modern criticism. Next time someone claims "Easter" in Acts 12:4 is a translation error, you'll have the biblical and historical evidence to explain why the KJV translators got it right.
Dive Deeper Into God's Word
Did this blog post spark your interest in biblical translation and the accuracy of God's Word? This article only scratches the surface of the rich teaching contained in the original sermon.
Experience the full teaching by listening to the complete sermon, where you'll discover:
Additional scriptural evidence defending the KJV translation
Deeper historical connections between pagan Easter celebrations and ancient Babylon
The prophetic implications hidden in the story of Peter's imprisonment
How this translation issue connects to modern challenges to biblical authority
Practical applications for defending the integrity of Scripture
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