(Πεντηκοστή, fiftieth) is the name given in the New Testament to the "Feast of Weeks," or of "Ingathering," which was celebrated by the Jews on the fiftieth day from the festival of the Passover; or seven weeks from the 16th day of Nisan. It was a feast of thanksgiving for the harvest, and commenced immediately after the Passover. It was one of the three great yearly festivals in which all the males were required to appear before God at the place of his sanctuary. Josephus states that in his time great numbers of Jews resorted from every quarter to Jerusalem to keep this festival. (Antiq. xiv. 13, 4; xvii. 10, 2; De Bell. Jud. ii. 3, 1.) This testimony affords corroboration of Acts ii. 1, 9-11; xx. 16; 1 Cor. xvi. 8, in which the same fact appears. The commencement of the Christian church on the day of Pentecost attached a peculiar interest to this season, and it was established as one of the great festivals in the fourth century. This day became one of the three baptismal seasons (Tertull. De Bapt. c. 19; Hieron. in Zach. xiv. 8;) and it derives its name of Whitsunday, or white-Sunday, from so many being clad in white on this the day of their baptism.