Ted’s Response:

That's a good question. I did not realize that the Pharisees and Sadducees celebrated Passover on different days. However, I would think it would have nothing to do with the fact that Jesus and His disciples celebrated Passover early. I believe, rather, that this was due to divine decree.

The Father knew that Jesus would be sacrificed on the cross mid-afternoon on Passover (preparation) day, at the same time that the national Passover lamb for Israel was sacrificed in the temple (see parallels between Jesus and the Passover lamb). So I feel that Jesus knew, in His Spirit, that He had to observe the Passover 24 hours early, because He knew that His body would be dead and entombed the following night. More details can be found in my Passover and crucifixion on Thursday section, as well as in this email response: How could Jesus and His disciples have eaten a Passover meal on Wednesday night? Do you think that lamb was eaten during their meal?