ἑορτή

a festival, feast

Definition

ἑορτή (eortē) refers to a religious festival or feast, typically a public celebration held at regular intervals. In the New Testament, it most often denotes the major Jewish pilgrimage festivals—Passover (Luke 2:41), Pentecost, and Tabernacles—which were commanded in the Mosaic Law. The word can also refer to the specific occasion of the Passover celebration itself (Matthew 26:5, Mark 14:2). In a broader, more neutral sense, it simply means any festive gathering or holiday, as seen in its use for a Roman custom of releasing a prisoner during a feast (Matthew 27:15, Mark 15:6).

Biblical Usage

The word is used 25 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Gospels and Acts, reflecting its setting within Jewish religious life. It consistently appears in narratives about Jesus' ministry during Jewish festivals, especially Passover (e.g., John 2:23, 7:2, 13:1). The usage patterns highlight the theological significance of Jesus fulfilling the meaning of these festivals. For example, the Gospel of John strategically places key events and teachings of Jesus during major feasts to show him as the fulfillment of Jewish worship.

Etymology

Derived from the ancient Greek verb ἕπομαι (hepomai), meaning 'to follow' or 'to accompany,' the word ἑορτή originally conveyed the idea of a gathering or assembly for a religious observance. This root sense of a convened, recurring public event carried into its New Testament meaning of a prescribed religious festival.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects Jesus' life and work directly to the Jewish liturgical calendar. The Gospels, especially John, use the feasts as a backdrop to reveal Jesus as the true substance of the Old Testament shadows—he is the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) and the living water and light associated with Tabernacles (John 7:37-38, 8:12). Understanding ἑορτή enriches reading by showing how the New Testament presents Jesus as fulfilling and transforming the old covenant festivals.

In the first-century Jewish world, a ἑορτή was not merely a holiday but a sacred, communal pilgrimage event ordained by God (Deuteronomy 16:16). These feasts shaped Jewish identity, memory, and worship throughout the year. They were times of great travel, celebration, and sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem. This cultural understanding is essential, as it explains the crowded setting of Jerusalem in the Gospel narratives during these times and the high public visibility of Jesus' actions.

πανήγυρις (panēgyris, G3831) — a broader term for a public festival or assembly, often secular or pan-Hellenic; ἑορτάζω (heortazō, G1858) — the verb meaning 'to keep a feast' or 'to celebrate.'

Word Details

Scripture References