The Greek heorte refers to a religious feast or festival, used in the New Testament almost exclusively for the great Jewish festivals: Passover, Tabernacles, Pentecost, and Purim. It appears over 25 times in the Gospels and Acts, often marking pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry. Jesus himself attended these feasts and used their imagery to reveal His identity (John 7:37–38 at Tabernacles; John 6:4 near Passover).
The heortai (feasts) of Israel were not mere religious occasions but anticipatory celebrations — each pointing forward to fulfillment in Christ. Passover (Pascha) was fulfilled in the cross (1 Corinthians 5:7). Firstfruits in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). Pentecost in the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2). Tabernacles awaits final fulfillment when God 'tabernacles' with His people (Revelation 21:3). Colossians 2:16–17 captures this: the feasts were 'a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.'