What does the Bible say about Easter?
While the Bible does not mention “Easter” by name, it provides the bedrock for what Christians celebrate during this season: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This pivotal event, foundational to Christian faith, is recorded across all four Gospels and frequently referenced in the Epistles. For believers, Easter is a time to commemorate Jesus' victory over sin and death, offering hope and the promise of eternal life. The New Testament focuses intensely on the historical event of the resurrection and its theological implications, setting the stage for what would later become the Church's most significant annual observance.
The Bible does not mention Easter by name, but it is the inspired source for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which Easter celebrates.
The Biblical Account of Jesus' Resurrection
The central event commemorated at Easter is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This miraculous event is explicitly detailed in each of the four Gospel accounts: Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-18. While there are minor differences in the timing and specific individuals present at the tomb, all accounts powerfully attest to the empty tomb and Jesus' subsequent appearances.
Key elements consistent across the Gospels include: the discovery of the empty tomb on the first day of the week (Sunday), the presence of angels announcing Jesus' resurrection, and Jesus appearing to his disciples and other followers. For instance, Matthew records the angel declaring, “He is not here; for he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). Luke emphasizes Jesus' bodily resurrection, showing his hands and feet and eating with them to prove he was not a ghost (Luke 24:39-43).
The Theological Significance of the Resurrection
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, profoundly unpacks the theological significance of Christ's resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15, he argues that the resurrection is indispensable to the Christian faith. He writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Paul presents the resurrection as an assurance of our own future resurrection and the triumph over death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
Moreover, the resurrection validates Jesus' claims to divinity and his work of atonement on the cross. Romans 1:4 states that Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” Peter also connects the resurrection to new birth and living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
The Absence of “Easter” in Scripture and Early Church Practices
It is important to note that the word “Easter” itself does not appear in the Bible. The New Testament focuses on the event of the resurrection and its implications, not on an annual festival by that name. The early church did not immediately establish an annual “Easter” holiday as we know it today. Instead, they celebrated the resurrection weekly, observing the “Lord's Day” (Sunday) as a remembrance of Christ's triumph (Acts 20:7, Revelation 1:10).
The development of an annual celebration of the resurrection evolved over time. Early Christians, particularly Jewish converts, often associated the timing of Christ's resurrection with the Jewish Passover, as Jesus' crucifixion occurred during Passover. The Greek word for Passover, “Pascha,” is still used in many languages for the Easter celebration. The English word “Easter” has a murkier origin, with some theories linking it to an Old English or Germanic pagan spring festival. However, regardless of the linguistic origin, the Christian celebration of Easter has always centered on the biblical truth of Christ's resurrection from the dead.
Diverse Christian Observance of Easter
Today, nearly all Christian denominations observe Easter, though practices and traditions vary. Most traditions include special church services, often beginning with sunrise services, symbolizing the dawning of the new day of Resurrection. Many churches observe a Lenten season leading up to Easter, a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance. The specific customs, such as the use of eggs or bunnies, are cultural additions that are not found in the Bible and carry different levels of significance for various believers.
While the Bible doesn't prescribe how to celebrate an annual Easter, it unequivocally provides the reason for the celebration: the historical, world-changing resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, it is a joyful affirmation of central biblical truths and the hope found in Christ.
Bible verses about easter
"Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, even as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead; and lo, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. And behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me."
"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen. And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great. And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out, and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid."
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass."
"Now on the firstdayof the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in. Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again unto their own home. But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that he had said these things unto her."
"and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."
"But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep."
"who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,"
"Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
Frequently asked
Where does the word “Easter” come from if it’s not in the Bible?
The exact origin of the English word 'Easter' is debated among scholars. Some theories suggest it derives from 'Eostre' or 'Ostara,' a Germanic goddess of spring and fertility. Others link it to an Old German word for 'dawn' or 'resurrection.' Regardless of its linguistic roots, the Christian observance of Easter has always been centered on the biblical resurrection of Jesus Christ, not on pagan deities or practices.
Did early Christians celebrate an annual Easter holiday?
The earliest Christians did not have an annual festival called Easter as we know it today. They regularly celebrated the resurrection every Sunday, which they called the 'Lord's Day,' as a weekly reminder of Christ's triumph over death. Over time, as the Church developed, the annual observance evolved, often tied to the Jewish Passover, given Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection occurred during that feast.
Why do some Easter traditions include eggs and bunnies?
Customs like Easter eggs and bunnies are cultural traditions that are not found in the Bible. Eggs have long been a symbol of new life and fertility in many cultures, eventually becoming associated with the new life found in Christ's resurrection. The bunny or hare has ancient associations with spring and fertility and was later incorporated into secular Easter traditions. These are later additions and generally hold no theological significance for the Christian message of Easter.
What is the connection between Easter and Passover?
There's a deep biblical connection between Easter and Passover. Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection occurred during the Jewish Passover feast, which commemorates Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Christians see Jesus as the 'Passover Lamb' (1 Corinthians 5:7) whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin and death. The timing of Easter is often determined by the date of Passover, reflecting this historical and theological link.
Keep reading