43 God said to Moses and Aaron, "These are the rules for the Passover: No foreigners are to eat it. 44 Any slave, if he's paid for and circumcised, can eat it. 45 No casual visitor or hired hand can eat it. 46 Eat it in one house - don't take the meat outside the house. Don't break any of the bones. 47 The whole community of Israel is to be included in the meal. 48 "If an immigrant is staying with you and wants to keep the Passover to God, every male in his family must be circumcised, then he can participate in the Meal - he will then be treated as a native son. But no uncircumcised person can eat it. 49 "The same law applies both to the native and the immigrant who is staying with you." 50 All the Israelites did exactly as God commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 That very day God brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, tribe by tribe.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 12:43-51

Commentary on Exodus 12:43-51

(Read Exodus 12:43-51)

In times to come, all the congregation of Israel must keep the passover. All that share in God's mercies should join in thankful praises for them. The New Testament passover, the Lord's supper, ought not to be neglected by any. Strangers, if circumcised, might eat of the passover. Here is an early indication of favour to the gentiles. This taught the Jews that their being a nation favoured by God, entitled them to their privileges, not their descent from Abraham. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, 1 Corinthians 5:7; his blood is the only ransom for our souls; without the shedding of it there is no remission; without the sprinkling of it there can be no salvation. Have we, by faith in him, sheltered our souls from deserved vengeance under the protection of his atoning blood? Do we keep close to him, constantly depending upon him? Do we so profess our faith in the Redeemer, and our obligations to him, that all who pass by may know to whom we belong? Do we stand prepared for his service, ready to walk in his ways, and to separate ourselves from his enemies? These are questions of vast importance to the soul; may the Lord direct our consciences honestly to answer them.