Easter is a time of great joy, hope, and celebration. While it is deeply sacred and solemn in many respects, there is also a lighter, more humorous side to the resurrection story that we can appreciate. From the unexpected moments of surprise to the quirky interactions between characters, the Easter story is filled with humor that helps remind us of the fullness of life in Christ.
In this article, we will explore 20 funny Easter verses from the Bible that, while profound in their message, also carry a hint of humor or lightheartedness that we can enjoy as part of our Easter celebration. These verses highlight the humor and joy found in the resurrection, showing us that God’s work is not only serious but also filled with delight and surprising moments.
1. The Women’s Surprise at the Empty Tomb: Matthew 28:5-6
“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.'”
The women arrive at the tomb expecting to find Jesus’ body, but instead, they are met by an angel who delivers the greatest surprise in history—Jesus is alive! Their shock is both comedic and awe-inspiring as they learn the unbelievable news.
2. The Angel’s Invitation to Peter and John: John 20:6-8
“Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.”
The rush of the disciples to the tomb, with Peter trailing behind John, adds a bit of humor. John gets there first, but Peter doesn’t hesitate to barge in, leaving a scene of tidy linen cloths, which seems almost comical in the midst of the momentous event.
3. The Road to Emmaus: Luke 24:13-16
“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.”
In this passage, two disciples are walking along, talking about the recent events, not realizing that they are talking to the resurrected Jesus. The idea that they would be so absorbed in conversation that they don’t recognize Him is both amusing and a little ironic.
4. Jesus’ Question to the Disciples: Luke 24:38-39
“He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.'”
When Jesus appears to the disciples after His resurrection, they are frightened and in disbelief. His response—asking why they’re troubled and offering proof that it’s really Him—has a humorous tone, considering they had just seen Him die.
5. The Disciple Who Wasn’t There: John 20:24-25
“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus) one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'”
Thomas’ disbelief and his challenge to his fellow disciples to prove Jesus’ resurrection adds a humorous, yet relatable, moment to the Easter narrative. His demand for physical proof was certainly met with some eye rolls!
6. The Disciples’ Reaction to the Resurrection: Matthew 28:16-17
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
After seeing the resurrected Christ, the disciples still experience moments of doubt. The irony and humor of this moment come from the fact that they have seen Jesus perform miracles, and yet, they still hesitate to believe.
7. Jesus’ First Words to the Disciples: John 20:19
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!'”
Jesus’ sudden appearance in a locked room is already a bit of a surprise, but His casual greeting of “Peace be with you” in such a dramatic moment adds a layer of unexpected calmness and humor to the situation.
8. Jesus’ Appearance to Mary Magdalene: John 20:15
“He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.'”
Mary Magdalene does not recognize Jesus immediately and assumes He is the gardener. This humorous misunderstanding is a tender moment in the Easter story, showing the surprise and joy that comes with recognizing the risen Christ.
9. The Big Fish Catch: John 21:6
“He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
Jesus directs His disciples to cast their nets one more time after they have caught nothing all night. The absurdity of the situation—having spent all night fishing without success, only to be told to try one more time—adds humor to the post-resurrection moment, where the disciples realize they are dealing with the miraculous.
10. The Great Breakfast: John 21:9-13
“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.”
The scene of Jesus cooking breakfast for His disciples after their miraculous catch of fish adds a lighthearted, homely touch to the story. Jesus, risen from the dead, is sharing a meal with His friends, reminding us of the joy and fellowship that follow His victory.
11. Jesus Appears to the Disciples in a Room: Luke 24:36
“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.'”
Jesus’ sudden appearance in the middle of a conversation, with no warning, certainly adds a surprising and almost humorous element to the post-resurrection encounters. His calm greeting, “Peace be with you,” seems almost out of place given the shock His disciples must have felt.
12. The Empty Tomb and the Linen Cloths: John 20:5-7
“He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.”
The scene at the empty tomb, where the linen cloths are neatly arranged and the head cloth is in its place, has a slightly humorous undertone. Jesus, even in His resurrection, manages to leave everything in perfect order, suggesting that even in the miraculous, there is divine tidiness.
13. Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Teachings: Matthew 28:18-20
“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…'”
The moment when Jesus commissions His disciples to go and spread the good news is monumental, but there’s a humorous element in how it’s phrased. The disciples, who are still grappling with His resurrection, are suddenly tasked with spreading the most important message in the world.
14. The Resurrection with a Side of Surprise: Luke 24:41-43
“And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”
Jesus’ casual request for food after His resurrection is both humorous and humanizing. It emphasizes the reality of His physical resurrection while adding a touch of normalcy to an otherwise extraordinary event.
15. The Misunderstanding of the Disciples: Luke 24:36-37
“They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.”
The disciples’ initial reaction to Jesus’ sudden appearance was one of fear, as they thought they were seeing a ghost. Their disbelief and fear add a bit of humor to the situation, as they soon realize that this is no ghost but their risen Lord.
16. Jesus Teases Peter About His Denial: John 21:15-17
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.'”
After Peter’s denial, Jesus lovingly asks him three times if he loves Him. This threefold questioning, though serious, might be seen as Jesus gently teasing Peter to remind him of the great love and forgiveness He offers.
17. The Disciples’ Return to Galilee: Matthew 28:16
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.”
The disciples’ obedience to Jesus’ instructions to meet Him in Galilee, despite the confusion and doubt, is filled with humor. They still don’t fully understand what’s happening, yet they follow through, not knowing what they will encounter.
18. The Resurrection as a Celebration: Luke 24:52-53
“Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
The disciples’ joyous celebration after the resurrection is a wonderful, lighthearted moment. Their excitement and joy at seeing Jesus alive is something that, even today, brings us a sense of celebration.
19. The Disciples and the Risen Jesus: Matthew 28:17
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”
Even after seeing the resurrected Christ, some disciples still doubted. The mixture of worship and doubt, even in such a triumphant moment, carries a humorous humanity that many can relate to.
20. The Resurrection Message Spreads: Acts 2:32
“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”
The bold proclamation by Peter that Jesus has been raised from the dead has a humorous confidence. Despite all that has happened, the disciples now boldly spread the message of Christ’s resurrection, knowing full well that their lives will never be the same.
Conclusion
While the Easter story is one of the most profound narratives in human history, it is also filled with moments of humor and lightness. From surprising appearances to gentle teasing, these humorous elements remind us that the resurrection is not just about solemn reflection but also about the joy, grace, and unexpectedness of God’s love. Celebrating Easter with laughter and joy, just as much as reverence, is an important part of experiencing the fullness of the resurrection and the life we have in Christ.
You Might Be Interested In:
