Easter is the most significant celebration in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is a time when Christians around the world reflect on the ultimate victory over sin, death, and the grave that was accomplished through Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection is not just a historical event; it is the foundation of the Christian faith, offering hope, redemption, and eternal life to all who believe.
As we celebrate Easter, it is important to immerse ourselves in the powerful scriptures that remind us of the significance of Christ’s resurrection. These verses not only recount the events of that first Easter morning but also help us understand the spiritual implications for our lives today. From prophecies in the Old Testament to the resurrection accounts in the Gospels and the reflections of early Christians in the Epistles, the Bible is rich with passages that inspire hope, faith, and gratitude.
In this article, we will explore 20 of the best scriptures to read on Easter. These verses serve as reminders of God‘s incredible love for humanity, the power of the resurrection, and the new life we are offered through Christ. Whether you are reading these verses alone or with others in a worship service or family gathering, they will deepen your understanding of the Easter story and encourage you in your faith.
1. 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.”
These verses provide the powerful declaration of the resurrection. The angel reassures the women that Jesus, whom they were seeking, is no longer dead but has risen, just as He had promised. This moment marks the triumph of life over death and is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.
2. 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 message from the angel to the women at the tomb echoes the prophecy of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This reminder of Jesus’ words underscores the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation and highlights the certainty of the resurrection.
3. John 11:25-26 (KJV)
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
These words, spoken by Jesus to Martha before He raised Lazarus from the dead, reveal His divine authority over life and death. The resurrection of Jesus gives us the hope of eternal life, and these verses remind us that belief in Christ is the key to this promise.
4. 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.”
Paul’s letter to the Corinthians explains the theological importance of Christ’s resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection is the first of many to come for believers. Just as sin entered the world through Adam, resurrection and eternal life come through Jesus Christ.
5. 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 scripture links the resurrection of Jesus to the believer’s experience of new life. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we too are raised to live a transformed life through the power of His resurrection. Easter is a celebration of the new life we receive in Christ.
6. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Known as the Great Commission, these words from Jesus, spoken after His resurrection, emphasize the ongoing mission of the church. His resurrection gives authority to the church’s mission to spread the gospel to all nations, assuring us that He is with us as we go.
7. 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.”
The angel’s proclamation to the women is a powerful declaration that death has been defeated. This passage captures the joy and amazement of the resurrection and is a central verse in Easter celebrations.
8. 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.”
After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples, offering peace and showing them His wounds as proof of His identity. This moment of revelation brought joy to the disciples and serves as a reminder that Jesus is alive, bringing peace to His followers.
9. Luke 24:30-32 (KJV)
“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
In this post-resurrection appearance, Jesus reveals Himself to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This powerful moment emphasizes the importance of recognizing Christ in our lives, especially through the scriptures.
10. 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 intimately know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection. This passage invites believers to reflect on the transformative power of the resurrection and the hope it provides for eternal life.
11. Colossians 3:1-4 (KJV)
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
This passage reminds us that, as believers, we share in the resurrection of Christ. Our identity is now hidden in Christ, and we are called to live according to heavenly priorities, with our eyes set on eternal glory.
12. Revelation 1:17-18 (KJV)
“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
In this passage from Revelation, Jesus declares His eternal life and victory over death. His resurrection secures our hope for eternal life and assures us that death has no power over Him.
13. Romans 8:11 (KJV)
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives within believers, empowering us to live new lives. This verse connects the resurrection power of Christ with the daily life of the believer.
14. John 14:19 (KJV)
“Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.”
Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the eternal life of those who trust in Him. His victory over death means that believers can have confidence in their own future resurrection.
15. Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Although not directly about the resurrection, this prophecy about the suffering of Christ is foundational for understanding the significance of His resurrection. His death and resurrection are the means by which we receive healing and peace.
16. 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
This verse from Peter reminds believers of the “living hope” we have through Christ’s resurrection. It is a hope that is alive and enduring, grounded in the reality of Jesus’ victory over death.
17. Acts 4:33 (KJV)
“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”
The apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus. This verse highlights the transformative power of the resurrection, which is central to the Christian message.
18. Romans 10:9 (KJV)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
This foundational verse of salvation emphasizes the importance of belief in the resurrection for salvation. Easter is a time to reflect on this essential truth of the gospel.
19. Luke 24:46-47 (KJV)
“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Jesus’ words here point to the necessity of His death and resurrection as the means for forgiveness and salvation. His resurrection is central to the Christian mission of preaching repentance and forgiveness.
20. Hebrews 7:25 (KJV)
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
The resurrection assures us that Jesus is alive forever, interceding on our behalf before the Father. His continued presence gives us the confidence that He is always working for our salvation.
Conclusion
Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which gives us hope, new life, and the assurance of salvation. The scriptures we have explored in this article not only recount the events surrounding the resurrection but also help us understand the significance of this miracle for our faith and daily lives. As you read and reflect on these passages, may you be reminded of the power of the resurrection and the eternal hope it offers to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
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