Easter and Good Friday are two of the most significant days in the Christian calendar, marking the pivotal events in the life of Jesus Christ—His death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection. These events are the foundation of the Christian faith, symbolizing Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and the grave. Good Friday commemorates the sacrificial death of Jesus, and Easter celebrates His glorious resurrection. Together, these observances provide hope, redemption, and new life for all believers.
While Good Friday focuses on the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus, Easter highlights His victory over death and His resurrection, affirming the eternal life He offers to all who believe in Him. Both days are deeply interwoven, as the crucifixion was necessary for the resurrection, and the resurrection affirms the power and significance of the cross.
In this article, we will explore 20 Bible verses that speak about Good Friday and Easter, offering insights into the significance of these events. These verses not only recount the historical events but also provide theological depth, helping believers understand the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
1. Matthew 27:50-53 (KJV)
“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
This passage recounts the dramatic events that occurred at the moment of Jesus’ death on Good Friday. The veil of the temple was torn in two, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and man. The resurrection of the saints also foreshadows the resurrection of Jesus Himself on Easter Sunday.
2. Matthew 28:5-6 (KJV)
“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
This verse marks the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection by the angel to the women at the tomb. It is a triumphant declaration that Jesus has risen, fulfilling His promise to rise from the dead on the third day.
3. Mark 15:37-39 (KJV)
“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Mark provides a vivid account of Jesus’ death, highlighting the centurion’s declaration that Jesus was the Son of God. This is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Good Friday, where even those who witnessed His death came to recognize His divine nature.
4. Mark 16:6 (KJV)
“And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”
Similar to the account in Matthew, this verse captures the angel’s announcement of Jesus’ resurrection to the women at the tomb. It emphasizes that Jesus is no longer dead but has risen, symbolizing the defeat of death and sin.
5. Luke 23:46 (KJV)
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
This verse records Jesus’ final words before His death. His trust in God the Father and His willing surrender of His spirit represent the ultimate act of obedience and sacrifice. Good Friday highlights the depth of Jesus’ love and commitment to His mission.
6. Luke 24:6-7 (KJV)
“He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
The angel’s words here remind the women of Jesus’ prophecy about His death and resurrection. This verse encapsulates the promise of Easter—that Jesus would rise from the dead after three days, fulfilling His mission to save humanity.
7. John 19:30 (KJV)
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
Jesus’ final words on the cross, “It is finished,” signify the completion of His work of redemption. On Good Friday, Jesus’ sacrificial death paid the price for sin, and His words signify the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation.
8. John 20:1-2 (KJV)
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.”
Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb sets the stage for the Easter morning revelation. Her initial confusion gives way to the glorious discovery of the resurrection, marking the first moment of triumph on Easter Sunday.
9. John 20:19-20 (KJV)
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.”
On Easter Sunday, Jesus appears to His disciples, offering peace and showing them the wounds of His crucifixion. This moment demonstrates both the reality of His resurrection and the fulfillment of His promise to rise from the dead.
10. Acts 2:23-24 (KJV)
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.”
Peter’s sermon on Pentecost emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ resurrection. Though Jesus was crucified by the hands of men, God raised Him from the dead, fulfilling His plan of salvation. Easter celebrates this victory over death.
11. Romans 5:8 (KJV)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Good Friday highlights the sacrificial love of Jesus, who died for sinners. This verse reminds believers that Jesus’ death was an act of love, not for the righteous but for the unrighteous, to bring them back to God.
12. Romans 6:4 (KJV)
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
This verse connects baptism with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Just as Christ was raised, believers too are raised to walk in the newness of life, symbolizing the transformation that takes place through the power of Easter.
13. Romans 6:9 (KJV)
“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”
Jesus’ resurrection marks His victory over death. He will never die again, and His victory over death is a promise for all believers. Easter celebrates this victory and the eternal life that comes through Him.
14. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV)
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
Paul summarizes the heart of the gospel: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Easter is a celebration of this truth, which is central to the Christian faith.
15. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (KJV)
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
This passage highlights the connection between Jesus’ resurrection and the future resurrection of believers. Easter celebrates the firstfruits of the resurrection, which promises eternal life to all who are in Christ.
16. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (KJV)
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This triumphant declaration speaks of the victory over death and the grave. Through the resurrection of Jesus, believers are assured of victory over death, a central theme of Easter.
17. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (KJV)
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
This verse emphasizes the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection: believers are called to live for Christ, who died and rose again for them.
18. Philippians 3:10-11 (KJV)
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
Paul expresses his desire to know Christ more deeply, especially the power of His resurrection. This verse connects Easter with the believer’s hope of resurrection and eternal life.
19. Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Jesus’ death and resurrection defeated the power of the devil and freed believers from the fear of death. This victory is at the heart of both Good Friday and Easter.
20. Hebrews 9:28 (KJV)
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and His resurrection provide the assurance of His return for those who are waiting for Him. Easter is a celebration of this hope and anticipation.
The 20 Bible verses will follow this theme, highlighting the events of Good Friday and Easter, the triumph of Christ’s resurrection, and the hope that believers have in Him. Each verse speaks to a key aspect of these pivotal events and emphasizes their significance in the life of the Christian faith.
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