The Easter story is the heart of the Christian faith. It is the climax of God‘s redemptive plan, the moment when sin was defeated and death was overcome. Centered on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter represents victory, hope, and eternal life for all who believe. The story of Easter is told through many passages in the Bible, especially across the Gospels and the epistles of the New Testament.
This article presents 20 key Bible passages that narrate the Easter story in powerful detail. Each scripture is quoted and followed by a reflection or devotional commentary. Together, these verses form a rich and meaningful retelling of the events of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
20 Easter Story Bible Passages
1. Isaiah 53:5 (Prophetic Foretelling of the Crucifixion)
“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.”
Long before Jesus walked the earth, the prophet Isaiah spoke of the suffering Messiah. This passage reveals the spiritual purpose of the crucifixion — that Christ would be wounded and killed not for His own sins, but for ours. It’s a foundational prophecy that sets the tone for the Easter story: salvation through suffering and love through sacrifice.
2. Matthew 26:39 (The Garden of Gethsemane)
“He went a little farther and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'”
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed in deep agony. This moment shows His humanity — fully aware of the suffering ahead — and His divine obedience. Easter begins not at the cross, but in the garden, where Jesus surrendered fully to the Father’s will.
3. Luke 22:48 (The Betrayal by Judas)
“But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'”
Betrayal cuts deep, especially when it comes from someone close. Judas’ act of betrayal was not just political — it was personal. Yet, Jesus met it with calm dignity and continued toward the cross, fulfilling prophecy and demonstrating His control over the events.
4. John 18:36 (Jesus Before Pilate)
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight… but now My kingdom is not from here.'”
Jesus stands before Pilate and clarifies His mission: He is a king, but not one who seeks earthly power. The Easter story reminds us that Christ’s rule is eternal and spiritual — a kingdom founded not on swords but on sacrifice.
5. Matthew 27:24 (Pilate Washes His Hands)
“When Pilate saw that he could not prevail… he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this Man’s blood. You see to it.'”
Pilate tries to escape responsibility, but his gesture of washing his hands cannot cleanse the injustice. This scene shows how the innocence of Jesus was known, yet political convenience and public pressure led to His death. Easter reveals both human failure and divine purpose.
6. John 19:1-3 (Jesus is Mocked and Beaten)
“So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head… They mocked Him and said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!'”
These verses paint a heartbreaking picture of humiliation. Jesus, the true King, is mocked with a crown of suffering. Yet, through that suffering, He bears the shame of the world. Easter reminds us that Jesus endured scorn so that we could be crowned with grace.
7. Luke 23:26 (The Way to Calvary)
“Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian… and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.”
Simon’s unexpected role in carrying the cross reminds us of the cost of discipleship. Easter calls every believer to take up their cross and follow Jesus, not in their own strength but in the path of humble obedience.
8. Matthew 27:45-46 (Jesus Cries Out on the Cross)
“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out… ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'”
This moment reveals the depth of Jesus’ suffering — not just physically but spiritually. He felt the weight of divine judgment so we would never have to. The darkness that covered the land symbolized the sin that He bore, and His cry fulfills Psalm 22.
9. John 19:30 (It Is Finished)
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
With this triumphant declaration, Jesus completed the work of redemption. “It is finished” means that sin’s debt was paid in full. Easter hinges on this victorious cry — not a whisper of defeat but a proclamation of salvation.
10. Matthew 27:51 (The Veil is Torn)
“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.”
The tearing of the veil symbolizes access. Because of the cross, we are no longer separated from God. Easter not only speaks of forgiveness, but also of intimacy with the Father, made possible through Christ’s sacrifice.
11. Luke 23:50-53 (Jesus is Buried)
“Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.”
Joseph of Arimathea gives Jesus a dignified burial. This quiet moment, often overlooked, sets the stage for the resurrection. Even in death, Jesus is honored — and His tomb would soon become the greatest symbol of life.
12. Matthew 27:65-66 (The Tomb is Sealed)
“Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.”
The effort to seal the tomb was in vain. No stone, guard, or seal could prevent the power of resurrection. Easter teaches that nothing can stop the plan of God — not even death.
13. Mark 16:1-4 (The Women Visit the Tomb)
“Very early in the morning… they said among themselves, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?’ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away.”
The women came with sorrow and spices, expecting death. Instead, they found an empty tomb. Easter often comes to us in our grief and surprises us with joy. The stone was rolled away, not for Jesus to escape, but for us to see.
14. Luke 24:5-6 (He Is Risen!)
“Then, as they were afraid… the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!'”
This is the gospel in one sentence: He is risen. These words changed history. Easter proclaims that Jesus conquered death, validating His divinity and offering eternal life to all who believe.
15. John 20:11-16 (Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene)
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher).”
Mary, weeping in the garden, becomes the first witness of the resurrection. Her personal encounter with the risen Lord shows that Easter is not just a theological truth — it is a personal relationship with Jesus.
16. Luke 24:30-31 (The Road to Emmaus)
“Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them… then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
Jesus reveals Himself in the breaking of bread. Resurrection isn’t just about seeing — it’s about knowing Him in the Word and in fellowship. Easter opens our spiritual eyes to Christ’s presence with us.
17. John 20:27-29 (Doubting Thomas Believes)
“Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here… Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!'”
Thomas’ doubt turns into one of the clearest declarations of Jesus’ divinity. Easter welcomes the skeptic, offering proof and peace. Jesus meets us where we are and calls us to believe.
18. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The resurrection leads to mission. Because Jesus is alive, we have a message to share. Easter gives us purpose — to go, teach, baptize, and live out the risen life in the world.
19. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (The Heart of the Gospel)
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day.”
Paul summarizes the gospel with clarity. This is the essence of Easter: death, burial, resurrection. It is the cornerstone of Christian faith, rooted in historical events and spiritual truth.
20. Romans 6:8-9 (Our Resurrection Life)
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.”
Easter is not just Jesus’ story — it’s ours. If we are united with Him in His death, we are also united in His life. The resurrection is both a past event and a present reality. Because He lives, we live.
Conclusion
The Easter story doesn’t end at the empty tomb — it begins there. These 20 Bible passages guide us through the greatest story ever told: that Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose again for our salvation. But more than just a sequence of events, Easter is a call to faith, hope, and new life.
Whether you are reading these scriptures for the first time or the hundredth, may they renew your heart and draw you closer to the risen Savior. Christ is risen — He is risen indeed.
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