Easter is a celebration of hope, redemption, and resurrection. While the New Testament directly chronicles the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Old Testament contains countless shadows, prophecies, and illustrations that point to Easter’s message. These Scriptures reflect God‘s plan of salvation from the beginning, and reading them during the Easter season can deepen our understanding and appreciation of the cross and the empty tomb.
Here are 45 powerful Old Testament scriptures that connect to the meaning of Easter. Each verse or passage sheds light on God’s redemptive plan and how Jesus fulfilled the promises made long ago.
1. Genesis 3:15
“He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
This first promise of redemption, spoken after the fall, foreshadows Jesus’ victory over Satan through His death and resurrection.
2. Genesis 22:8
“God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
Abraham‘s words point to God providing His own Son, the Lamb of God, as a sacrifice.
3. Genesis 22:13
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns…”
This ram substituted for Isaac, symbolizing how Jesus would be our substitute on the cross.
4. Exodus 12:5
“Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old.”
The Passover lamb must be spotless, just like Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God.
5. Exodus 12:13
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you…”
The blood of the lamb brought deliverance—just as the blood of Christ brings salvation.
6. Exodus 14:13
“Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord…”
Moses’ words to the Israelites as they stood by the Red Sea echo the salvation that Jesus brings through His resurrection.
7. Leviticus 16:30
“On this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you.”
The Day of Atonement points to the once-for-all atonement made by Jesus at the cross.
8. Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…”
This emphasizes the power and purpose of sacrificial blood—fulfilled perfectly in Christ.
9. Numbers 21:9
“Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole…”
Jesus referenced this in John 3:14, showing it pointed to His crucifixion.
10. Deuteronomy 18:15
“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me…”
This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and Redeemer.
11. Joshua 5:10–11
“They celebrated the Passover…and ate produce of the land.”
Celebrating God’s deliverance through Passover reflects the ultimate deliverance in Christ.
12. Judges 6:22–24
“Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”
This message from the Angel of the Lord foreshadows resurrection and peace through Christ.
13. Ruth 4:14–15
“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.”
This blessing on Ruth’s son points to the line of David—and ultimately to Jesus, the Redeemer.
14. 1 Samuel 2:10
“The Lord will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Hannah’s prayer looks forward to the reign of God’s Anointed—Jesus Christ.
15. 2 Samuel 7:12–13
“I will raise up your offspring…and I will establish his kingdom forever.”
God’s covenant with David promises an eternal kingdom fulfilled by Jesus.
16. Job 19:25
“I know that my Redeemer lives…”
A stunning declaration of resurrection hope from one of the oldest biblical texts.
17. Psalm 2:7
“You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”
Used in the New Testament to describe Jesus’ resurrection and divine sonship.
18. Psalm 16:10
“You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead…”
Peter quoted this Psalm in Acts to show that Jesus’ resurrection fulfilled it.
19. Psalm 22:1
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus cried this from the cross, pointing to the Psalm’s prophetic nature.
20. Psalm 22:16–18
“They pierce my hands and my feet…”
A direct prophetic picture of the crucifixion.
21. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
A reminder that God’s presence and resurrection hope overcome death.
22. Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Easter morning brings joy after the sorrow of Good Friday.
23. Psalm 34:20
“He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”
This was fulfilled at Jesus’ crucifixion (John 19:36).
24. Psalm 40:6–8
“I delight to do your will, O my God…”
A messianic passage quoted in Hebrews to describe Jesus’ obedience.
25. Psalm 69:21
“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”
Another prophetic image fulfilled at the crucifixion.
26. Psalm 72:17
“All nations will be blessed through him…”
Jesus, the risen Savior, brings blessing to all nations.
27. Psalm 110:1
“The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand…’”
This royal Psalm speaks of Jesus’ exaltation after His resurrection.
28. Psalm 118:22–24
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…”
This rejected stone is Jesus, glorified through resurrection.
29. Proverbs 11:4
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Only the righteousness of Christ delivers us on Judgment Day.
30. Isaiah 7:14
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son…”
This prophecy sets the stage for Christ’s mission, completed in Easter.
31. Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born… and the government will be on his shoulders.”
This Messianic prophecy points to Jesus’ ultimate reign after the resurrection.
32. Isaiah 25:8
“He will swallow up death forever…”
Resurrection victory beautifully proclaimed hundreds of years before Christ.
33. Isaiah 26:19
“But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise.”
A clear Old Testament reference to bodily resurrection.
34. Isaiah 35:10
“Everlasting joy will crown their heads…”
The joy of the redeemed echoes Easter’s celebration of new life.
35. Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”
Resurrection power renews and strengthens those who trust in Him.
36. Isaiah 50:6
“I offered my back to those who beat me…”
This passage prophetically details Christ’s suffering before the cross.
37. Isaiah 52:13–15
“My servant will act wisely… kings will shut their mouths because of him.”
These verses begin the “Suffering Servant” narrative.
38. Isaiah 53:3–5
“He was pierced for our transgressions…”
Perhaps the most famous Messianic prophecy, fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
39. Isaiah 53:10–11
“After he has suffered, he will see the light of life…”
Clearly describing resurrection after the suffering of the Servant.
40. Jeremiah 31:31
“I will make a new covenant…”
This prophecy points to the new covenant sealed by Jesus’ blood.
41. Ezekiel 11:19
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them.”
Jesus’ resurrection brings spiritual renewal to all who believe.
42. Ezekiel 37:5–6
“I will put breath in you, and you will come to life.”
The vision of dry bones points to spiritual resurrection and hope.
43. Daniel 7:13–14
“One like a son of man… was given authority, glory and sovereign power.”
This vision shows Jesus ascending and being glorified.
44. Hosea 6:2
“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us…”
A prophetic hint of resurrection on the third day.
45. Zechariah 12:10
“They will look on me, the one they have pierced…”
A profound prophecy pointing to Jesus’ crucifixion and future return.
Final Thoughts
The Old Testament is rich with references, shadows, and direct prophecies that all point forward to Easter. From Genesis to Zechariah, God weaves a tapestry of hope, sacrifice, and triumph. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ were not an afterthought but a fulfillment of a divine plan set in motion from the beginning.
As you reflect on these 45 scriptures, may they strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of God’s eternal love. Easter is not only about what happened on one weekend in Jerusalem—it’s the climax of the story that began in Genesis and continues into eternity.
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