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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 12:21–28. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
I.Moses is here, as a faithful steward in God's house, teaching the children of Israel to observe all things which God had commanded him; and no doubt he gave the instructions as largely as he received them, though they are not so largely recorded. It is here added,
1.That this night, when the first-born were to be destroyed, no Israelite must stir out of doors till morning, that is, till towards morning, when they would be called to march out of Egypt, Exo 12:22. Not but that the destroying angel could have known an Israelite from an Egyptian in the street; but God would intimate to them that their safety was owing to the blood of sprinkling; if they put themselves from under the protection of that, it was at their peril. Those whom God has marked for himself must not mingle with evil doers: see Isa 26:20, Isa 26:21. They must not go out of the doors, lest they should straggle and be out of the way when they should be summoned to depart: they must stay within, to wait for the salvation of the Lord, and it is good to do so.
2.That hereafter they should carefully teach their children the meaning of this service, Exo 12:26, Exo 12:27. Observe,
(1.)The question which the children would ask concerning this solemnity (which they would soon take notice of in the family): "What mean you by this service? What is he meaning of all this care and exactness about eating this lamb, and this unleavened bread, more than about common food? Why such a difference between this meal and other meals?" Note,
[1.]It is a good thing to see children inquisitive about the things of God; it is to be hoped that those who are careful to ask for the way will find it. Christ himself, when a child, heard and asked questions, Luk 2:46.
[2.]It concerns us all rightly to understand the meaning of those holy ordinances wherein we worship God, what is the nature and what the end of them, what is signified and what intended, what is the duty expected from us in them and what are the advantages to be expected by us. Every ordinance has a meaning; some ordinances, as sacraments, have not their meaning so plain and obvious as others have; therefore we are concerned to search, that we may not offer the blind for sacrifice, but may do a reasonable service. If either we are ignorant of, or mistake about, the meaning of holy ordinances, we can neither please God nor profit ourselves.
(2.)The answer which the parents were to return to this question (Exo 12:27): You shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, that is, "By the killing and sacrificing of this lamb, we keep in remembrance the work of wonder and grace which God did for our fathers, when," [1.] "To make way for our deliverance out of bondage, he slew the firstborn of the Egyptians, so compelling them to sign our discharge;" and, [2.] "Though there were with us, even with us, sins against the Lord our God, for which the destroying angel, when he was abroad doing execution, might justly have destroyed our first-born too, yet God graciously appointed and accepted the family-sacrifice of a lamb, instead of the first-born, as, of old, the ram instead of Isaac, and in every house where the lamb was slain the first-born were saved." The repetition of this solemnity in the return of every year was designed, First, To look backward as a memorial, that in it they might remember what great things God had done for them and their fathers. The word pesach signifies a leap, or transition; it is a passing over; for the destroying angel passed over the houses of the Israelites, and did not destroy their first-born. When God brings utter ruin upon his people he says, I will not pass by them any more (Amo 7:8; Amo 8:2), intimating how often he had passed by them, as now when the destroying angel passed over their houses. Note, 1. Distinguishing mercies lay under peculiar obligations. When a thousand fall at our side, and ten thousand at our right hand, and yet we are preserved, and have our lives given us for a prey, this should greatly affect us, Psa 91:7. In war or pestilence, if the arrow of death have passed by us, passed over us, hit the next to us and just missed us, we must not say it was by chance that we were preserved but by the special providence of our God. 2. Old mercies to ourselves, or to our fathers, must not be forgotten, but be had in everlasting remembrance, that God may be praised, our faith in him encouraged, and our hearts enlarged in his service. Secondly, It was designed to look forward as an earnest of the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God in the fulness of time, instead of us and our first-born. We were obnoxious to the sword of the destroying angel, but Christ our passover was sacrificed for us, his death was our life, and thus he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, from the foundation of the Jewish church: Moses kept the passover by faith in Christ, for Christ was the end of the law for righteousness.
II.The people received these instructions with reverence and ready obedience.
1.They bowed the head and worshipped (Exo 12:27): they hereby signified their submission to this institution as a law, and their thankfulness for it as a favour and privilege. Note, When God gives law to us, we must give honour to him; when he speaks, we must bow our heads and worship.
2.They went away and did as they were commanded, Exo 12:23. Here was none of that discontent and murmuring among them which we read of, Exo 5:20, Exo 5:21. The plagues of Egypt had done them good, and raised their expectations of a glorious deliverance, which before they despaired of; and now they went forth to meet it in the way appointed. Note, The perfecting of God's mercies to us must be waited for in a humble observance of his institutions.
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Summary
Exodus 12:27 records God's explicit command to the Israelites to explain the significance of the Passover ritual to future generations. This explanation defines the annual observance as "the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover," commemorating His divine act of "passing over" the homes of the children of Israel in Egypt while simultaneously striking the firstborn of the Egyptians, thereby delivering His chosen people. Upon receiving this profound revelation, the people immediately responded with humble reverence, bowing their heads and worshipping God in awe of His redemptive power and faithfulness.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is intricately woven into the climax of God's instructions for the institution of the Passover, given to Moses and Aaron just before the tenth and final plague on Egypt. The preceding verses, Exodus 12:21-23, detail the specific actions required: the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb, the application of its blood to the doorposts, and the command for the Israelites to remain indoors until morning. Exodus 12:26 anticipates a future scenario where children would inquire about the meaning of this peculiar service, making verse 27 the divinely prescribed answer. The narrative immediately following in Exodus 12:28 confirms Israel's immediate and faithful obedience, setting the stage for the devastating execution of the tenth plague described in Exodus 12:29-30. Thus, Exodus 12:27 serves as a pivotal theological explanation within the broader narrative of deliverance.
Historical & Cultural Context
The institution of the Passover occurred in ancient Egypt, marking a foundational moment in Israel's history—the culmination of God's judgment on Pharaoh and the miraculous liberation of His people from centuries of oppressive slavery. In the ancient Near East, rituals, festivals, and commemorative feasts were essential cultural mechanisms for preserving collective memory and transmitting significant historical events and their underlying theological meanings across generations. The command to explain the Passover to children (as seen in Exodus 12:26 and answered in Exodus 12:27) reflects a deeply ingrained cultural value of intergenerational teaching and the preservation of communal identity, especially concerning foundational acts of a nation's deity. The unique concept of "passing over" (Hebrew: Pesach) signified divine protection amidst widespread destruction, a direct and powerful intervention of YHWH against the gods of Egypt. The immediate response of bowing and worship was a common and profound expression of reverence and acknowledgment of divine sovereignty and power after witnessing or hearing of such a mighty act.
Key Themes
Exodus 12:27 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Divine Deliverance and Redemption, highlighting God's mighty arm in rescuing His people from bondage, not through human strength, but through His direct intervention. This verse also underscores the theme of Substitutionary Atonement, as the blood of the lamb serves as the means by which judgment is averted for Israel, foreshadowing a greater sacrifice. The command to explain the ritual emphasizes the theme of Remembrance and Intergenerational Teaching, ensuring that God's mighty acts of salvation are not forgotten but continually passed down as foundational truths for future generations. Finally, the people's immediate response of worship establishes Worship as the Proper Response to Divine Revelation and Deliverance, demonstrating humility, reverence, and gratitude in the face of God's awesome power and grace, a pattern seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., Exodus 15:1-18).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the root meaning "to slaughter," this term properly refers to the flesh of an animal offered, and by implication, the act of offering or the victim itself. In this context, it specifically denotes the Passover lamb, whose life was taken and blood shed as an offering to God. This sacrifice was not merely a meal but an act of propitiation, a necessary means to avert divine judgment, highlighting its sacred and salvific purpose.
Derived from the verb pâçach (H6452), meaning "to hop" or "to skip over," this noun technically refers to a "pretermission" or "exemption." It is used exclusively for the Jewish Passover, encompassing both the festival and its victim. The verse explicitly defines its meaning by linking it to God's action: He "passed over" the houses of Israel, signifying His protective act of sparing them from the plague of death, while simultaneously executing judgment upon the Egyptians. This term encapsulates God's selective judgment and salvific grace.
A primitive root meaning "to push," "gore," "defeat," or "inflict (a disease)." Here, it signifies a decisive, often violent, strike or blow. In Exodus 12:27, it emphasizes the severity, finality, and destructive power of God's judgment against Egypt, particularly in the context of the death of the firstborn. This word underscores God's absolute power and justice in executing His divine will.
Verse Breakdown
"That ye shall say, It [is] the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover..."
This opening clause establishes the didactic purpose of the explanation—to clearly articulate the meaning of the ritual. It identifies the Passover as a specific "sacrifice" belonging to the LORD (YHWH), emphasizing its divine origin and sacred nature. The focus is on the Passover lamb as a sacrificial offering, whose blood was the means of protection and whose death commemorated God's redemptive act.
"...who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses."
This is the theological core of the explanation, detailing the reason for the Passover. It describes God's two-fold, contrasting action: He "passed over" or protected the Israelite homes, which were marked by the blood of the lamb, thereby sparing them from the plague of death. Simultaneously, He "smote the Egyptians," bringing devastating judgment upon them. The stark contrast between divine protection for Israel and divine judgment for Egypt highlights God's discernment, justice, and faithfulness to His covenant people. The phrase "delivered our houses" powerfully conveys the personal and communal salvation experienced by Israel.
"And the people bowed the head and worshipped."
This final clause describes the immediate, profound, and appropriate response of the Israelites upon hearing these instructions and the accompanying explanation. Their physical posture of "bowing the head" signifies deep humility, reverence, and submission to God's authority. The act of "worshipped" (from shâchâh, H7812) indicates their adoration, acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, and trust in His power and faithfulness, even before the plague had occurred. It is an act of adoration and trust in the face of impending, awesome divine action.
Literary Devices
Exodus 12:27 masterfully employs several literary techniques. It primarily utilizes a didactic structure, providing a direct and authoritative answer to an anticipated future question, thereby emphasizing the vital importance of teaching and remembering foundational truths. The verse employs powerful contrast by juxtaposing God's action of "passing over" Israelite homes with His simultaneous act of "smiting" the Egyptians. This highlights God's discerning justice and covenantal mercy. Furthermore, a clear cause-and-effect relationship is established: God's specific actions (passing over, smiting, delivering) are the divine cause, and the Passover sacrifice, with Israel's subsequent worship, are the human effect and appropriate response. The repetition of "houses" (H1004, bayith) for both Israelite and Egyptian dwellings creates a poignant parallelism, underscoring the universal scope of the plague and the particularity of God's protection.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse reveals several profound theological truths that resonate throughout biblical history. First, it underscores God's sovereign power over life and death, demonstrating His absolute ability to execute judgment and extend mercy simultaneously. Second, it highlights the necessity of substitutionary sacrifice; the blood of the lamb was the divinely appointed means by which judgment was averted for Israel, pointing to the principle that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). Third, it establishes the importance of divine remembrance and intergenerational teaching, ensuring that God's mighty acts of salvation are never forgotten but continually passed down as foundational truths. Finally, it exemplifies true worship as an immediate and humble response to God's redemptive work, characterized by adoration, submission, and trust.
This theme of divine deliverance through a blood sacrifice reverberates throughout the biblical narrative, foreshadowing the ultimate act of salvation.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 12:27 carries profound significance for believers today, inviting us to remember and respond to God's deliverance with deep gratitude and worship. Just as the Israelites were commanded to remember their physical deliverance from the bondage of Egypt, we are called to remember God's spiritual deliverance from the slavery of sin and the dominion of death through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation is not earned by our own merit or effort but is a gracious, sovereign act of God, prompting an immediate and humble response of profound gratitude and worship. Furthermore, it places a vital emphasis on the spiritual heritage we are entrusted to pass to the next generation, urging us to faithfully teach our children and those within our sphere of influence about God's grand redemptive history and His unwavering faithfulness. Our worship, like that of the ancient Israelites, should be a heartfelt, immediate, and reverent response to His incredible grace and saving power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the Passover called a "sacrifice" when it seems more like a protective ritual?
The Passover lamb was indeed a sacrifice (Hebrew: zebach, H2077) because its death was a necessary prerequisite for the averting of divine judgment. Its blood, applied to the doorposts, served as a substitute for the firstborn of the household. While the ritual certainly provided protection, it did so through the shedding of innocent blood, which is the very essence of a substitutionary sacrifice. It was not merely a symbolic act, but a life given in place of another, making it a profound act of atonement.
Does "passed over" mean God simply ignored the Israelite houses?
No, the Hebrew word for "passed over" (Hebrew: pâçach, H6452, from which peçach, H6453, "Passover," is derived) does not imply ignoring or overlooking. Instead, it carries the nuance of "hovering over," "sparing," or "protecting." God was actively present during the plague, discerning the blood mark on the doorposts, and intentionally sparing those houses while simultaneously striking the Egyptian homes. It signifies a deliberate act of divine protection and discrimination based on the covenant and the blood mark, not mere oversight or indifference.
Why did the people immediately bow and worship before the plague happened?
The people's immediate response of worship (Hebrew: shâchâh, H7812) demonstrates their profound faith and trust in God's word. They had just heard the detailed instructions and the awe-inspiring explanation of what the Passover meant—God's promise to deliver them while judging Egypt. Their worship was an act of humble submission and adoration, acknowledging God's absolute authority and believing that He would indeed fulfill His promise, even before they saw the physical manifestation of the plague. It was a testament to their immediate obedience, reverence, and profound trust in the Lord's power and faithfulness.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 12:27, with its profound emphasis on the Passover lamb, its shed blood, and divine deliverance from impending judgment, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The unblemished Passover lamb, sacrificed to avert death, is a powerful and precise foreshadowing of Jesus, who John the Baptist proclaimed as "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" Just as the blood of the Passover lamb marked homes for salvation from physical death, the shed blood of Jesus on the cross provides complete atonement for sin and delivers believers from eternal spiritual death and God's righteous wrath (Romans 5:8-9). The concept of God "passing over" those marked by the blood of the lamb is perfectly reinterpreted in the New Covenant as God's grace extended to all who are "in Christ." Through faith in Jesus, His perfect and once-for-all sacrifice becomes our substitute, and His righteousness is imputed to us, causing God's judgment to "pass over" us. As the Apostle Paul declares, "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us!" Thus, the Passover ritual, so meticulously explained in Exodus 12:27, is not merely an ancient historical event but a profound theological type pointing directly to the saving work of Jesus, our ultimate and eternal deliverance.