Easter Sunday is the most significant day in the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, marking His victory over sin and death, a triumph that offers eternal hope for all believers. The resurrection is not only a powerful moment in history but the foundation of the Christian faith. As Christians, we gather to rejoice, reflect, and proclaim the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
Reading scripture on Easter Sunday is a way to remind ourselves of the profound truth of the resurrection. The Bible contains numerous passages that speak directly to the hope, victory, and transformation that come through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. These scriptures are rich with theological depth, emotional resonance, and the promise of salvation.
In this article, we will reflect on 21 key scriptures that provide comfort, insight, and a reminder of the significance of Easter. These scriptures will help you reflect on God‘s love, grace, and the incredible gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
21 Scriptures to Read on Easter Sunday
1. Matthew 28:5-7 (NIV)
“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. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
The angel’s message to the women at the tomb is a powerful announcement of the resurrection. Easter Sunday begins with a message of hope: Jesus has risen, just as He promised. This scripture reminds us that God’s promises are trustworthy, and His plan of redemption was fulfilled in the resurrection.
2. Mark 16:6 (NIV)
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.”
Mark’s account emphasizes the reality of the resurrection. Jesus was dead, but He is now alive. The emptiness of the tomb is proof that death could not hold Him. As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded that Jesus’ resurrection signifies victory over the grave, and through Him, we also have the promise of eternal life.
3. Luke 24:5-7 (NIV)
“In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? 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.’”
In this passage, the angels remind the women of Jesus’ words. He had foretold His death and resurrection, showing that everything that had happened was part of God’s divine plan. As we read this on Easter Sunday, we are reminded that God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, and His resurrection is the ultimate sign of God’s power and faithfulness.
4. John 20:1-2 (NIV)
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him.’”
This passage marks the moment of discovery. Mary Magdalene’s confusion and fear set the stage for one of the greatest revelations in history—the resurrection. Her journey to the tomb leads to the realization that Jesus is alive, and it is through this moment of uncertainty that the hope of the resurrection is revealed.
5. John 20:11-18 (NIV)
“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.”
In this deeply personal encounter, Mary Magdalene meets the risen Christ. This moment of sorrow is transformed into joy as she realizes that Jesus is alive. Her recognition of the risen Lord is an important reminder that Jesus meets us in our grief and transforms it into hope.
6. Romans 6:4 (NIV)
“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.”
Paul’s letter to the Romans underscores the significance of baptism, symbolizing the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Easter is a celebration of new life, and this scripture reminds us that through Jesus’ resurrection, we are given the opportunity for new life in Him.
7. Romans 8:11 (NIV)
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
This verse emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, living within believers. Easter celebrates not only the historical event of Jesus’ resurrection but also the ongoing transformative power of His resurrection in the lives of believers.
8. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NIV)
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
In this passage, Paul presents Jesus as the “firstfruits” of the resurrection, meaning that His resurrection is the guarantee of the resurrection of all believers. Easter is not just about Jesus’ victory over death; it’s a preview of the victory that awaits all who belong to Him.
9. 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Peter praises God for the living hope that is available through Jesus’ resurrection. Easter Sunday is a celebration of this living hope, a hope that is not based on circumstances but on the reality of Christ’s resurrection and the eternal life He offers.
10. Acts 2:24 (NIV)
“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.”
In Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, he emphasizes that Jesus’ resurrection was not only an act of divine power but also a victory over death. Easter is a reminder that death has no power over Jesus and, by extension, no power over those who are in Him.
11. Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV)
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
Paul expresses his deep desire to experience the power of Jesus’ resurrection in a personal and intimate way. Easter Sunday is a reminder that, as believers, we are invited to experience the resurrection power of Christ in our lives, transforming us and bringing us into new life.
12. Colossians 2:12 (NIV)
“Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
This passage speaks to the spiritual resurrection believers experience when they place their faith in Jesus. Easter is a celebration of both Jesus’ resurrection and the new life we receive through faith in Him.
13. Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV)
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Jesus’ resurrection breaks the power of death, which is the ultimate weapon of the enemy. This passage reminds us that through His victory, we are freed from the fear of death. Easter is a declaration of freedom for all who believe.
14. Revelation 1:17-18 (NIV)
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.’”
In this powerful revelation, Jesus declares His eternal life and authority over death. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate affirmation that He holds dominion over life and death. Easter celebrates His victory and the eternal hope we have in Him.
15. Matthew 27:51-53 (NIV)
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.”
This dramatic event at the moment of Jesus’ death highlights the power of His resurrection. The tearing of the temple curtain signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, and the raising of the saints is a powerful sign of the resurrection to come.
16. John 11:25-26 (NIV)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
These words of Jesus to Martha in the story of Lazarus demonstrate that He is the resurrection and the life. Easter Sunday is a celebration of the truth that those who believe in Jesus will experience eternal life with Him.
17. Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)
“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.”
This prophetic verse from Isaiah points to the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. While Easter celebrates His resurrection, it is important to remember the cost of that resurrection—Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins.
18. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)
“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
The resurrection of Jesus calls us to live for Him. Easter is a reminder that Christ’s resurrection is not just a historical event but a call to a transformed life.
19. John 14:19 (NIV)
“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”
Jesus promises that His resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers. Easter is the declaration of this incredible truth—that through Christ, we too have the hope of eternal life.
20. Titus 3:5-7 (NIV)
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Easter celebrates the mercy and grace of God, given freely through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through Christ, we are reborn into new life, with the hope of eternal life.
21. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
The Great Commission is a call to all believers to spread the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Easter reminds us that we are not only recipients of the resurrection’s power but also messengers of that hope to the world.
Conclusion
Easter is not just a day on the calendar; it is the celebration of the greatest event in human history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The 21 scriptures shared in this article offer a rich reflection on the hope, victory, and new life that the resurrection brings. As you read these scriptures on Easter Sunday, may you be reminded of the incredible sacrifice of Jesus, the power of His resurrection, and the eternal hope that we have in Him. Let us rejoice in the truth that Christ is risen, and through Him, we too shall live!
You Might Be Interested In:
