33 Bible Verses about Easter to Celebrate the Resurrection

Introduction

Easter is a significant Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous verses that pertain to the events leading up to and surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Understanding these scriptures can deepen our appreciation for the profound meaning of Easter and the impact it has on our faith. In this article, we will explore five different aspects of Easter through selected Bible verses, from Old Testament prophecies to the early church's celebration of the Messiah's resurrection.

Old Testament Prophecies about the Messiah's Death and Resurrection

The Old Testament contains several prophecies that foretell the coming, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

Psalm 16:10

"For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption."

Isaiah 53:5

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Isaiah 53:12

"Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Isaiah 26:19

“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”

Ezekiel 37:5-6

Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Daniel 9:26

"After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed."

Daniel 12:2

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Hosea 6:1-2

“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”

Zechariah 12:10

"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son."

The Passion Week: Jesus' Final Days before Crucifixion

The events of the Passion Week highlight the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry, leading up to his crucifixion.

Matthew 21:9

"The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Hosanna in the highest heaven!'"

John 13:5

"After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."

Matthew 26:28

"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Luke 22:42

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

Mark 14:72

"And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.' And he broke down and wept."

The Crucifixion: The Ultimate Sacrifice for Mankind

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a pivotal moment in Christian history, as it represents the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

John 19:17-18

"Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle."

Luke 23:34

"Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."

Matthew 27:46

"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')."

John 19:30

"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."

Luke 23:46

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last."

The Resurrection: Christ's Victory Over Death

Jesus' resurrection is the central event that Christians celebrate during Easter. These verses demonstrate the triumph of Christ over death:

Matthew 28:5-6

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'"

Mark 16:9

"When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons."

Luke 24:6-7

"He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"

John 20:29

"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"

1 Corinthians 15:4

"that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

The Early Church: Celebrating the Crucifixion and Resurrection

In the early days of Christianity, the fledgling church faced numerous challenges as it sought to establish its identity and spread the message of the Gospel. Central to its teachings and beliefs were the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which served as the foundation for the hope, faith, and transformation experienced by believers. The early Christians recognized the significance of these events and celebrated them as pivotal moments in the unfolding story of God's redemptive plan for humanity. As they gathered together in worship, prayer, and fellowship, the early believers inspiration and empowerment in the message of Christ's victory over sin and death.

John 6:40

“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Acts 2:24

"But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."

Acts 24:15

“Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.”

Romans 6:4

"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Romans 8:11

“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

1 Corinthians 15:14

"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith."

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

1 Peter 1:3

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Conclusion

The Bible verses presented in this article offer a comprehensive understanding of Easter, from Old Testament prophecies to the early church's incorporation of the crucifixion and resurrection into their faith. Reflecting on these scriptures can deepen our appreciation for the true meaning of Easter and help us celebrate the love, sacrifice, and victory of Jesus Christ.

A Prayer for New Life in Christ

Heavenly Father, I come before You in awe and adoration, marveling at Your boundless love and mercy. You saw our sinful state and chose to send Your precious Son as a ransom for our sins. I stand in awe of Your grace and the incredible sacrifice You made on our behalf.

Lord, I confess that I am a sinner, and I humbly ask for Your forgiveness. I repent from my sins and turn to You, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I place my faith in Jesus, the Lamb who was slain for my transgressions, and I thank You for the precious gift of His blood that washes me clean.

Thank You, Father, for the gift of new life in Christ. As I embrace this resurrected life, I ask that You continue to guide me, mold me, and transform me into the person You desire me to be. May Your Holy Spirit empower me to walk in Your ways and live a life that brings glory to Your name.

I also pray for those who do not yet know Jesus as their Savior. May they come to understand the depth of Your love and the power of the resurrection, and may they accept the gift of salvation that is available to them through Jesus Christ. Use me, Lord, as an instrument of Your love and grace, that I might share the good news with others and lead them to the life-transforming relationship with You.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Reflections on Easter from the Early Church Fathers

St. John Chrysostom

"Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ, having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep." (Paschal Homily)

St. Augustine of Hippo

"Let us sing Alleluia here below, while we are still anxious, so that we may sing it one day there above, when we are freed from all anxiety." (Sermon 256, On Easter)

St. Gregory of Nyssa

"Yesterday the Lamb was slain and the doorposts were anointed, and Egypt bewailed her Firstborn, and the Destroyer passed us over, and the Seal was dreadful and reverend, and we were walled in with the Precious Blood. Today we have clean escaped from Egypt and from Pharaoh; and there is none to hinder us from keeping a Feast to the Lord our God." (On the Resurrection of Christ, Oration 1 (Or. 45)

St. Cyril of Jerusalem

"Let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal Kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free." (Paschal Homily, 2nd Ecumenical Council, 381 AD)

St. Melito of Sardis

"Christ, who was hung on the tree, is risen! He has put on a body and stands before you, unashamed of the cross. O bitter death, where is your sting? O hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!" (From an Easter Homily, 2nd century AD)