Easter is the most significant day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. While Christmas celebrates His birth, and Good Friday marks His crucifixion, Easter Sunday proclaims the victory of Jesus over sin, death, and the grave. This event is the cornerstone of Christian faith, fulfilling prophecies and securing the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
But what exactly did Jesus do on Easter? What occurred from the moment He rose until the end of that day? This article delves into the actions, appearances, and spiritual implications of what Jesus did on Easter Sunday, based on the biblical narrative, theological insight, and historical context.
The Setting: What Happened Before Easter?
The Crucifixion and Burial
Before we examine Easter Sunday, it’s crucial to understand the events leading up to it. On Good Friday, Jesus was crucified under the authority of Pontius Pilate at the urging of Jewish religious leaders. He was mocked, beaten, and nailed to a cross outside the walls of Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha.
By Friday evening, Jesus had died, and His body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. He was buried in a new tomb, sealed with a large stone, and guarded by Roman soldiers to prevent His disciples from stealing the body (Matthew 27:62–66).
The Silence of Saturday
The day following the crucifixion, known as Holy Saturday, was a day of mourning and uncertainty for Jesus’ followers. They believed their Master was gone. The Jewish Sabbath was observed, and no activities took place, especially not in the tomb area, due to religious laws.
The Resurrection: What Happened Early on Easter?
The Empty Tomb
The Bible tells us that early on the first day of the week, several women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices (Mark 16:1–2). To their shock, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
An angel appeared to them and said:
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”—Matthew 28:6 (KJV)
This was the first sign of the resurrection. Jesus was no longer in the tomb. The angel instructed the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen.
Jesus’ First Appearance
Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearance was to Mary Magdalene, who remained near the tomb after the others had left (John 20:11–18). Initially, she did not recognize Him, mistaking Him for the gardener. When Jesus called her by name, “Mary,” she immediately knew it was Him.
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”—John 20:16 (KJV)
This personal moment signified a new phase in Jesus’ ministry—one not of physical presence alone but of spiritual power and commissioning.
Jesus’ Appearances Throughout Easter Sunday
Jesus Appears to the Other Women
Shortly after His appearance to Mary Magdalene, Jesus appeared to the other women on their way to tell the disciples. They worshipped Him and He instructed them:
“Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”—Matthew 28:10 (KJV)
This reinforces the idea that Jesus was intentional in revealing Himself first to women, which in that cultural context was extraordinary and affirming.
The Report of the Guards
While Jesus was appearing to the women, the Roman guards went to the chief priests and reported what had happened. Fearing public uproar, the priests bribed the soldiers to say that the disciples stole Jesus’ body while they were sleeping (Matthew 28:11–15). This marked the beginning of false narratives to discredit the resurrection.
Jesus Walks on the Road to Emmaus
One of the most detailed accounts of Jesus on Easter is in Luke 24:13–35, where He walks with two disciples traveling to the village of Emmaus. They were disheartened and confused about the recent events in Jerusalem.
Jesus, unrecognized by them, explained the Scriptures that foretold the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection. It was only when He broke bread with them that their eyes were opened.
“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”—Luke 24:31 (KJV)
This appearance emphasized how Jesus would now be recognized not just by sight, but through spiritual revelation and the breaking of bread, an act symbolizing the Lord’s Supper.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Jerusalem
Later that evening, Jesus appeared to ten of the disciples (excluding Thomas and Judas) in a locked room in Jerusalem (John 20:19–23). He greeted them with peace, showed them His wounds, and breathed on them, saying:
“Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” —John 20:22 (KJV)
This marked the beginning of the disciples’ transformation—from fearful followers to empowered messengers of the Gospel. It was also a preview of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit would fully descend upon them.
What Did These Appearances Accomplish?
Confirmed the Reality of the Resurrection
Jesus’ repeated appearances on Easter Sunday served as irrefutable proof that He had truly risen. He allowed people to touch His wounds, hear His voice, and share meals with Him. These were not visions or hallucinations but real, physical interactions.
Fulfilled Prophecy
The resurrection fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies:
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” —Psalm 16:10
“After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” —Hosea 6:2
Jesus had also foretold His own resurrection several times (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31), and Easter Sunday validated every one of those predictions.
Instituted a New Spiritual Reality
Jesus’ resurrection introduced a new covenant. No longer would sacrifices be required for sin. His rising from the dead signified the defeat of death and the grave, making Him the firstfruits of those who will be raised (1 Corinthians 15:20).
On Easter, Jesus laid the groundwork for:
- The Church
- The gift of the Holy Spirit
- The mission of global evangelism
The Theological Significance of Easter
Victory Over Death
Jesus’ resurrection is not merely a historical event; it’s a spiritual victory over the greatest enemy—death. His rising assures believers that death is not the end, and that eternal life is promised to those who are in Christ.
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”—John 11:25 (KJV)
Affirmation of Jesus’ Divinity
The resurrection served as the ultimate proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God. As Romans 1:4 declares:
“And declared to be the Son of God with power… by the resurrection from the dead.”
The Birth of Christian Hope
Easter inaugurated a living hope for believers. As the Apostle Peter writes:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” —1 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
What Does Jesus’ Activity on Easter Mean for Us Today?
A Call to Believe
The resurrection is a divine invitation to believe in the risen Christ. Jesus told Thomas in the days after Easter:
“Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” —John 20:29
Faith in the resurrection is essential to the Christian life and salvation itself (Romans 10:9).
A Commission to Go
On Easter and in the days following, Jesus began commissioning His disciples to go into the world and proclaim the Gospel. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20) is rooted in the authority Jesus claimed after rising from the dead.
A Life of Hope and Transformation
Easter is not just a past event; it is a living power. Believers are called to walk in the newness of life that the resurrection makes possible (Romans 6:4). The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to transform lives today (Ephesians 1:19–20).
Conclusion: Easter Is More Than a Day
On Easter, Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to many, spoke words of peace, and empowered His followers. He inaugurated a new age of salvation and hope. His actions on that day were not isolated to first-century Judea—they changed the course of history and the eternal destiny of all who would believe.
Easter is more than a celebration; it is a divine declaration that sin and death have been conquered. Jesus Christ is alive—and because He lives, we too shall live.
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