Easter is the cornerstone of the Christian faith—the celebration of Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death through His resurrection. As the apostle Paul said, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17). Thankfully, the tomb is empty, and our hope is secure.
To help you reflect deeply on the significance of Easter, we’ve compiled 30 powerful Bible verses from the English Standard Version (ESV). These passages span the Old and New Testaments, each shedding light on God’s plan of redemption fulfilled in Christ.
Let’s walk through these verses together, one by one.
1. Matthew 28:6 (ESV)
“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
This verse captures the heart of Easter. The angel’s words to the women at the tomb declare the miracle that changed the world: Jesus rose, just as He promised.
2. Luke 24:6–7 (ESV)
“He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you… that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
Jesus’ resurrection was not an unexpected twist—it was part of God’s perfect plan. His words beforehand prepared His followers, even if they didn’t understand at the time.
3. Mark 16:5–6 (ESV)
“…You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.”
Mark emphasizes both the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and the certainty of His resurrection—a crucial balance in the Easter message.
4. John 11:25–26 (ESV)
“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…”
These words spoken by Jesus offer comfort and eternal hope to every believer. His resurrection guarantees ours.
5. Romans 6:9 (ESV)
“We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”
Christ’s resurrection is permanent. He broke death’s power forever, offering life that never ends.
6. 1 Corinthians 15:20 (ESV)
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
Jesus’ resurrection is not isolated. He is the first of many who will rise. Easter guarantees a harvest of resurrection for all believers.
7. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
“…He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Easter is about living hope—a hope made alive through the power of the risen Savior.
8. Acts 2:24 (ESV)
“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”
Death could not hold Jesus. This verse reminds us of His divine power and victory.
9. Philippians 3:10 (ESV)
“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings…”
Paul longs to experience resurrection power. Easter isn’t just history—it’s the present power for transformed living.
10. 2 Timothy 2:11 (ESV)
“If we have died with him, we will also live with him.”
Union with Christ is the promise of Easter. His death and resurrection become ours.
11. Romans 8:11 (ESV)
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you… he… will also give life to your mortal bodies…”
The same Spirit that raised Jesus lives in believers. Easter is not distant—it is deeply personal.
12. Colossians 2:12 (ESV)
“…you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
Faith in Easter’s miracle links us directly to resurrection power.
13. Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
“But he was pierced for our transgressions… and with his wounds we are healed.”
This Old Testament prophecy finds its fulfillment at the cross—Easter’s necessary prelude.
14. Isaiah 25:8 (ESV)
“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears…”
A resurrection promise from the prophets. Easter is the beginning of eternal joy.
15. Psalm 16:10 (ESV)
“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
Quoted by Peter in Acts, this Psalm foretells Jesus’ resurrection.
16. Hosea 6:2 (ESV)
“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”
This poetic prophecy offers a hint of the resurrection timeline.
17. John 20:29 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas needed proof, but Jesus blesses all who believe the Easter message without seeing.
18. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (ESV)
“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so… God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
Easter secures our eternal reunion with loved ones who died in Christ.
19. Romans 4:25 (ESV)
“…who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
Jesus’ resurrection confirms our right standing before God.
20. John 2:19 (ESV)
“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Jesus prophetically refers to His body. His words come true at Easter.
21. Matthew 27:52–53 (ESV)
“…the tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints… were raised…”
This unusual event shows Easter’s resurrection power spilling over into others.
22. Acts 4:33 (ESV)
“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection…”
The early church thrived because they preached the living Christ.
23. Hebrews 13:20–21 (ESV)
“…brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep…”
This resurrection doxology emphasizes Christ’s ongoing ministry.
24. Luke 24:45–47 (ESV)
“…that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise…”
Jesus explains Easter’s necessity from Scripture itself.
25. Revelation 1:17–18 (ESV)
“I am the first and the last… I died, and behold I am alive forevermore…”
The risen Christ holds the keys of death and Hades—He reigns eternally.
26. John 6:40 (ESV)
“…everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him… I will raise him up on the last day.”
The promise of resurrection is central to Jesus’ teaching.
27. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…”
Easter makes spiritual resurrection a present reality.
28. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (ESV)
“…he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves…”
The cross and resurrection call us to a new way of living.
29. Ephesians 1:20–21 (ESV)
“…when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand…”
Christ’s exaltation began with Easter morning.
30. Titus 3:5–6 (ESV)
“…by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…”
Resurrection is the start of renewal. Easter changes not just the calendar, but the soul.
Final Reflection
These 30 Easter verses in the ESV version beautifully capture the depth of Christ’s love, the reality of His suffering, and the glory of His resurrection. Together, they tell the story of salvation—a story that continues in our lives today.
Easter isn’t just one Sunday a year. It’s the defining event of history and the eternal hope of every believer. As you meditate on these scriptures, may your heart be filled with the living hope that comes from the risen Lord.
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