Pentecost 2025: The Biblical Count and Why June 8 Is the Correct Date

Introduction

Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), one of God's appointed holy days, is calculated by counting fifty days beginning with the day after the Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:15–16). While most Churches of God currently teach that Pentecost in 2025 falls on June 1, careful biblical analysis reveals this date as incorrect. Based on the clear instruction of Scripture and consistent application of God’s counting method, the correct date for Pentecost in 2025 is Sunday, June 8.

This essay explains why June 8 is the biblically sound date, why the alternate June 1 position is flawed, and how to apply the correct method of counting Pentecost.

Leviticus 23: The Core Instruction

Key details:

• The count begins on the day after the Sabbath (i.e., Sunday)

• Seven Sabbaths (seven full weeks) must be completed

• Pentecost falls on the day after the seventh Sabbath — always a Sunday

This method is known as the Sadducean method, the one used during Christ's time and by early Christians. It requires the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened Bread to anchor the count.

Step-by-Step: How to Count Pentecost Correctly

Step 1: Identify the Weekly Sabbath During Unleavened Bread

• In 2025, Passover (Nisan 14) falls on Saturday, April 12

• Days of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15–21): April 13–19

• Weekly Sabbath during DUB: Saturday, April 19

Step 2: Determine the Wave Sheaf Day

• The next day (Sunday, April 20) is the Wave Sheaf Day

• This is Day 1 of the count

Step 3: Count Seven Full Weeks

• Count 49 days: 7 Sabbaths

• The 49th day lands on Saturday, June 7

Step 4: Pentecost is the 50th Day

• The 50th day is Sunday, June 8 — Pentecost

Addressing the June 1 Position

Some groups teach that if Passover falls on a Saturday (as it does in 2025), the next day — Sunday, April 13 — can be used as Wave Sheaf Day. They base this on Joshua 5:10–12, where the Israelites ate the existing grain ("produce of the land") after keeping the Passover.

Problems With This Reasoning:

1. Different Circumstances

Joshua 5 was a one-time transitional event. There’s no mention of a formal Wave Sheaf offering. The Israelites ate what was already in the land — this does not equate to the commanded firstfruits ceremony.

2. Violates Leviticus 23’s Anchor Point

Leviticus 23 clearly anchors the count to the day after the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened Bread, not to the day after Passover. Their method uses a Sabbath before Unleavened Bread begins, which violates this instruction.

3. Creates Inconsistency

This method changes the starting point based on calendar variation, which undermines God’s intent for a consistent annual observance.

Historical Consistency

The Sadducean count — used during Christ’s lifetime — always anchored the count to the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened Bread. This ensures:

• Wave Sheaf is always on a Sunday

• Pentecost always falls on a Sunday

• The count always respects the structure outlined in Leviticus 23

Conclusion

God commands precise observance of His Holy Days. The method of counting to Pentecost must honor both the weekly Sabbath during Unleavened Bread and the instruction to count seven Sabbaths plus one day.

The distinction matters. Let us obey God fully, precisely, and consistently — worshiping Him on the days He sanctified.

Pentecost 2025: June 8. Mark it, keep it, honor it.