Easter is one of the most important holidays for Christians around the world. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of the Christian faith. However, if you are searching for the word “Easter” in the Bible, you may not find it. The Bible does not mention Easter directly, but it speaks clearly about the events that Easter commemorates. This article will help you understand where to find the key elements of Easter in the Bible and how these events are described in Scripture.
What is Easter?
Before diving into the Bible passages related to Easter, let’s first understand what Easter represents. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after His crucifixion. Christians believe that through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This means it can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter is the culmination of the Passion Week, which includes events like Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
Although the word “Easter” is not found in the Bible, the events that make up Easter—Jesus’ crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection—are central to the New Testament. Let’s explore where you can find these important events in the Bible.
The Last Supper and the Betrayal of Jesus
The first key event leading up to Easter is the Last Supper. This meal, which Jesus shared with His disciples, is described in the Gospels. It marks the beginning of the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
In Matthew 26:17-30, we read about the Last Supper. Jesus and His disciples gathered to celebrate the Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus revealed that one of His disciples would betray Him. He also instituted the practice of communion, which is still observed by Christians today.
Here, Jesus broke the bread and shared it with His disciples, symbolizing His body, and He shared the wine, representing His blood. Jesus told them to continue this practice in remembrance of Him.
In Luke 22:14-20, we see a similar account. Jesus also takes the bread and the cup, explaining their significance. The Last Supper is important because it sets the stage for the events of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.
Jesus’ Arrest and Trial
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. While there, He experienced great sorrow and anguish, knowing what was about to happen. His disciples fell asleep, and Jesus prayed fervently, asking God if there was another way to fulfill His mission. However, He submitted to God’s will, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
In Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-50, Luke 22:47-53, and John 18:1-11, we read about Jesus’ arrest. Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ disciples, betrayed Him by leading a group of soldiers to arrest Him. Jesus was then taken to the high priest, Caiaphas, where He was falsely accused and sentenced to death.
Jesus’ trial before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, is described in Matthew 27:1-26, Mark 15:1-15, Luke 23:1-25, and John 18:28-40. Pilate, although finding no fault in Jesus, gave in to the crowd’s demands and sentenced Jesus to be crucified.
The Crucifixion
The crucifixion of Jesus is the central event of Easter. It is through Jesus’ death on the cross that Christians believe sin is forgiven and salvation is offered to humanity. Jesus’ crucifixion is described in detail in the Gospels.
In Matthew 27:27-56, Mark 15:16-41, Luke 23:26-49, and John 19:16-37, we find accounts of Jesus being mocked, beaten, and forced to carry His cross to the place of His crucifixion, known as Golgotha. There, He was nailed to the cross between two criminals.
Jesus’ death on the cross fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53, where the suffering servant is described as bearing the sins of many. His final words, “It is finished” (John 19:30), signified the completion of His mission to atone for the sins of humanity.
In Matthew 27:51-53, we also learn that when Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn in two, symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity was removed. This event was accompanied by an earthquake, and many tombs were opened, and the bodies of saints were raised to life.
The Burial of Jesus
After Jesus died, His body was taken down from the cross and buried in a tomb. In Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:40-47, Luke 23:50-56, and John 19:38-42, we learn that a wealthy man named Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. He placed Jesus in a tomb that had never been used before.
The burial of Jesus is an important event because it shows that He truly died. His body was placed in a sealed tomb, guarded by soldiers to prevent any tampering. This was done to confirm that Jesus was indeed dead before His resurrection.
The Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in the Easter story. It is what separates Christianity from every other religion. Jesus’ resurrection shows that He has power over death and offers eternal life to those who believe in Him.
In Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-18, we read about the discovery of the empty tomb. On the third day after Jesus’ death, some women who had followed Jesus went to His tomb and found it empty. An angel appeared to them, saying, “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6).
Later, Jesus appeared to His disciples, showing them His wounds and confirming that He had truly risen from the dead. The resurrection is a powerful sign of Jesus’ divine nature and His victory over sin and death.
The Great Commission
After His resurrection, Jesus spent time with His disciples, teaching them and preparing them for their mission. In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission. He commanded them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This commission is essential to understanding the ongoing mission of the church. It is because of the resurrection of Jesus that Christians are called to spread the good news of salvation to all people.
The Ascension
After appearing to His disciples for forty days, Jesus ascended into heaven. In Acts 1:9-11, we read that Jesus was taken up before their eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. As He ascended, two angels appeared and told the disciples that Jesus would return in the same way.
The ascension of Jesus is important because it marks the end of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His reign in heaven. It also signals that Jesus is preparing a place for believers in heaven, as He promised in John 14:2-3.
Conclusion
While the word “Easter” is not mentioned directly in the Bible, the events of Easter—the Last Supper, the crucifixion, the burial, and the resurrection—are central to the Christian faith. These events are recorded in the Gospels and provide the foundation for Christian beliefs about salvation, eternal life, and the victory over sin and death.
Easter is a time for Christians to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is through these events that Christians find hope, forgiveness, and a relationship with God. The Bible’s teachings about Easter are not just historical facts; they are truths that continue to transform the lives of believers today.
As you celebrate Easter, remember that it is not just about traditions and rituals, but about the life-changing message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Bible provides us with everything we need to understand and embrace the true meaning of Easter, and it calls us to share this good news with others.
The Bible is full of hope, joy, and transformation because of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. Let us hold fast to these truths and share them with the world.
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