The Easter story is the centerpiece of the Christian faith — one that offers faith, hope and redemption to humanity. Easter Bible verses tell the story of Jesus Christ’s willing sacrifice on the cross to save the sins of every man, woman and child who has and who will ever live.
But it is not just the sacrifice that has solidified itself in history. It is also the resurrection — Jesus’ resurrection where he defeated death three days after His brutal and painful crucifixion. It’s a true story told through Easter Bible verses that has captivated audiences for centuries, with the promise of Christ’s eventual return also transfixing believers.
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The New Testament includes a plethora of Bible verses about Easter that predict, explain and detail Jesus’ resurrection. Here are just six of the most powerful Easter Bible verses to consider:
Believing in Christ’s Sacrifice Brings Eternal Life
John 11:25-26 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
The Easter story hinges on our Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and was raised from the dead. Jesus referred to Himself as “the resurrection” even before His crucifixion, and promised that those who believe in Him would never die and instead, they would have eternal life. This Easter Bible verse forces us to think deeper about Christ death, resurrection and the promised truth of our salvation through the cross.
Jesus' question at the end of this verse, asking us if we believe in this, allows us the chance to truly look inside ourselves and ask ourselves if we do really and truly believe in His cross and resurrection personally. If the answer isn't a resounding yes, let us pray for the faith and vindication to fully believe in the Lord God our Savior.
Jesus Told the Disciples His Death Was Impending
Mark 8:31 (NIV)
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Jesus' teaching of his death to the disciples confused them at first. Some didn't understand who the Son of Man, why He had to die or what rising again truly meant (Mark 9:32 NIV). Jesus knew they wouldn't understand, but telling them of the prediction of His death meant that He was asking them to fully trust and believe in Him. He was asking them to believe His word and trust that what was about to happen was indeed supposed to take place for the salvation of the world.
Matthew 20:17-19 (NIV)
Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”
Our Lord Jesus Christ was fully aware of what would happen to Him, yet He forged on. He told His disciples that the Son of Man would suffer and be rejected, die and that He would rise again three days later. Jesus telling them what was to happen confused them, and were not sure what it all meant. The disciples were not yet aware that Christ's crucifixition would mean that Christ died for our sins. But Christ knew the end result of the Easter story and conveyed it to His followers in hopes they would have faith and wisdom in understanding.
READ ALSO: 3 TIMES CHRIST WAS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY
Jesus Was Mocked Amid His Suffering
Mark 15:29-32 (NIV)
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
This Easter Bible verse is a tough one to read, as it shows the depths of peoples’ hatred and ridicule. As Christ suffered, He was mocked. Why would our Lord Jesus Christ put himself through this mockery? Because He was on a mission to save the sins of humanity. God's plan included that He die for our sins and be raised from the dead. His sacrifice for us in light of this mockery and pain depicted in this Easter scripture reminds us of God’s deep love for each and every one of us.
READ ALSO: The Fascinating Biblical Connection Between Passover and Easter
Jesus’ Death Ushered in Darkness — and Then Light
Luke 23:44-47 (NIV)
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
The immediate darkness following Jesus’ crucifixion shows us the magnitude of his sacrifice and the impact of what His death meant for humanity. It wasn't until this moment where His sacrifice was made known that this man was our Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins. His identity was solidified in His death. Soon after, though, light shined through with the reality of the resurrection coming to fruition. The centurion, for his part, realized that something profound happened, as this Easter Bible verse shows.
READ ALSO: 9 Easter Movies and Shows You Can Stream Right Now
Jesus Rose and Transformed Human History
Mark 16:5-7 (NIV)
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
The resurrection is the most important event in human history. This Easter Bible verse shows us what happened when the disciples went to Jesus’ tomb. They discovered it was empty -- that Jesus was raised from the dead. He fulfilled His promise to die, rise again and ensure salvation for His people. It’s a sacrifice and message that continues to change lives around the globe.
READ ALSO: What Happened On Good Friday? A Look at Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
Bible Verses About Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
This scripture, written by the apostle Paul, helps combat false teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the essence of the Easter story and reminds everyone that Jesus was crucified, died for our sins, was buried and then was raised from the dead just as God promised.
Romans 6:5-6 (NIV)
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.
This resurrection Bible verse is a convicting one. It is a recognition that we all have sinned and will continue to sin, but it does not give us a license to sin. Instead, it compels us to “no longer be slaves to sin” and to walk away from our sinful nature to be more like Jesus. If we commit to change, we will be reunited with Jesus and God in heaven.
That wraps up our list of resurrection Bible verses. Experience the difference that inspiring and uplifting entertainment can have in your home with Great American Pure Flix. You’ll also find varying perspectives on the crucifixion of Jesus with movies like “The Girl Who Believes in Miracles,” "The History of Easter" and “Case for Christ.”
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