What exactly is Shavuot? Simply put, it is the fourth of seven Feasts of Israel. Shavuot is Hebrew for “weeks”. This festival is also known as the “Feast of Weeks”, because it occurs 7 Sabbaths and one day from Passover, or 50 days (thus the Greek translation of “Pentecost”). Shavuot is Pentecost, Pentecost is Shavuot. Same day, two translations.
But, what is Shavuot? It was a summer harvest celebration. Grain offerings were presented as an act of thankfulness. What is not mentioned in the Bible, but is in Ancient Jewish rabbinical teachings is the significance of the day. Fifty days after the Passover (escape from Egyptian slavery), was the monumental event of the giving of the Law. (Charlton Heston anyone?). Important to notice is that this day was a remembrance for the foundational giving of the law. This feast was instituted well before the time of Jesus, and is still celebrated today by Jews.
Imagine this: It’s first century AD. The disciples are gathered with 120 others in the Upper Room. The day is Shavuot. It’s the day of remembrance and thankfulness for the law. But this year is different. Fifty days ago their Messiah had died (on Passover), was buried (on Feast of Unleavened Bread), then rose again (on Feast of First Fruits). Now, it’s the day of the fourth feast: Shavuot. There are many similarities in the events that happened on the day of Pentecost and the day the law was given on Mt. Sinai. At Sinai “a loud trumpet blast”, and “the whole mountain trembled violently”. In the Upper Room, “a sound like the blowing of a violent wind”. Both occurrences saw a visible fire. Both occurred on exactly the same calendar day (Shavuot). In rabbinic tradition, when the law was given the soul of every Jew in all of history was present, and each person heard the law in their native language. At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given, “each one heard their own language”. Of course they did!
At Sinai, 3000 people lost their lives for worshipping the golden calf false idol. At Pentecost, 3000 lives were saved. So, Pentecost occurred on Shavuot. It’s amazing how God gives us such a perfect timetable. It’s all rooted in the festivals and in plain sight! God is so good!