What role should the Passover sacrifice play in shaping a biblical theology of atonement? Many scholars assume that the Passover is a paradigm for understanding Christ’s atoning work; some interpreters even regard the Passover as a penal sacrifice. While Jesus’ sacrifice is undoubtedly compared to the Passover, it is far less clear whether the Bible presents the Passover as an atoning sacrifice. In other words, while Christ’s sacrifice both effects atonement and is likened to the Passover, this dual explanation of Christ’s death does not require that the Passover itself is an atonement sacrifice. One must still demonstrate from Scripture that one explains the other. This paper seeks to provide greater clarity to debates concerning atonement by exploring whether theologians correctly equate or conflate distinct aspects of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.