Easter is one of the most important holidays for Christians, as it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time to reflect on His sacrifice, death, and victory over death. Understanding the Easter story is essential for anyone who wishes to understand the heart of the Christian faith. But where can you find the Easter story in the Bible? In this article, we will walk you through the passages that tell the Easter story and explain the significance of each event. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of where to read the Easter story and why it’s so important.

The Gospels: The Foundation of the Easter Story

The Easter story is primarily found in the Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel provides a unique perspective on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the details may vary slightly between the four Gospels, all of them agree on the most important events of Easter.

The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament, and they are often referred to as “the good news.” They tell the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, and ultimate purpose, which was to save humanity from sin. Each Gospel offers a different viewpoint, reflecting the background, audience, and purpose of its author.

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, and his Gospel provides a detailed account of the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In the book of Matthew, the Easter story is found in chapters 26 to 28.

Matthew 26: The Last Supper and the Betrayal

In Matthew 26, we read about the Last Supper, which is the final meal Jesus shares with His disciples before His crucifixion. During this meal, Jesus institutes the sacrament of communion, where He breaks bread and shares wine as symbols of His body and blood. He tells His disciples that one of them will betray Him, and we see the beginning of Judas’ betrayal.

Matthew 27: The Crucifixion

In Matthew 27, we find the trial of Jesus before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Despite finding no fault in Jesus, Pilate succumbs to the pressure of the crowd and sentences Jesus to be crucified. The chapter describes in detail Jesus’ suffering, the mocking by the soldiers, His journey to Golgotha, and His ultimate crucifixion.

Matthew 27:50 describes the moment when Jesus breathes His last and dies on the cross. This moment is significant because it marks the point of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Matthew 28: The Resurrection

Matthew 28 begins with the account of Jesus’ resurrection. Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to Jesus’ tomb, only to find it empty. An angel tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead. They are instructed to go and tell His disciples. As they leave, they encounter the risen Jesus Himself.

The final verses of Matthew 28, often referred to as the Great Commission, show Jesus giving His disciples the command to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This marks the beginning of the spread of Christianity throughout the world.

The Gospel of Mark

Mark is believed to be the earliest Gospel written, and it also tells the Easter story in detail. In Mark, the Easter story is found in chapters 14 to 16.

Mark 14: The Last Supper and the Betrayal

In Mark 14, the Last Supper is described, and Jesus predicts His betrayal by one of His disciples. The chapter also covers Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He asks God to take away the cup of suffering, yet submits to God’s will. This is followed by the betrayal by Judas, Jesus’ arrest, and His trial before the religious leaders.

Mark 15: The Crucifixion

Mark 15 provides a detailed account of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, His crucifixion, and His death. Jesus is mocked, beaten, and forced to carry His cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified. Mark 15:34 quotes Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” signaling the depth of His suffering.

The chapter ends with Jesus’ death, followed by the centurion’s confession, “Surely this man was the Son of God.” This highlights the profound truth that Jesus was the Messiah, even in the moment of His death.

Mark 16: The Resurrection

Mark 16 describes the events of Jesus’ resurrection. Early in the morning, women who followed Jesus go to the tomb and find it empty. An angel tells them that Jesus has risen. In the final verses of Mark 16, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and then to two disciples on the road. The chapter concludes with Jesus commissioning His followers to go into the world and preach the gospel.

The Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke offers another perspective on the Easter story. Like Matthew and Mark, Luke presents the death and resurrection of Jesus in detail. The Easter story in Luke can be found in chapters 22 to 24.

Luke 22: The Last Supper and the Betrayal

Luke 22 describes the Last Supper, where Jesus shares a meal with His disciples. During this meal, Jesus predicts that one of them will betray Him, and He institutes the Lord’s Supper. The chapter also includes Jesus’ time in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prays earnestly, and His betrayal by Judas.

Luke 23: The Crucifixion

Luke 23 recounts Jesus’ trial before Pilate, His journey to Golgotha, and His crucifixion. In this chapter, we learn that Jesus was crucified between two criminals. One of the criminals repents and asks Jesus to remember him when He comes into His kingdom, and Jesus promises him that he will be with Him in paradise.

The chapter also describes the moment of Jesus’ death, with the temple curtain being torn in two, symbolizing the access to God that Jesus’ death has opened for believers.

Luke 24: The Resurrection

Luke 24 contains the beautiful story of Jesus’ resurrection. Women go to the tomb and find it empty. Two angels appear and remind them of Jesus’ words that He would rise from the dead. Jesus later appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and they recognize Him in the breaking of the bread. The chapter ends with Jesus appearing to His disciples, reassuring them that He is truly alive.

The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John provides a more intimate and reflective account of the Easter story. John emphasizes Jesus’ divine nature and His relationship with the Father. The Easter story in John is found in chapters 18 to 21.

John 18: The Arrest and Trial

In John 18, we read about Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. After He is arrested, He is taken to the high priest for questioning, and then to Pilate for trial. Jesus’ trial before Pilate is described in detail, and we see the interaction between Pilate and Jesus.

John 19: The Crucifixion

John 19 describes the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, His death on the cross, and His burial. John includes the conversation between Jesus and Pilate, as well as the moment when Jesus declares, “It is finished.” Jesus’ side is pierced with a spear, confirming that He has died.

John 20: The Resurrection

John 20 provides a moving account of the resurrection of Jesus. Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and finds it empty. She runs to tell the disciples, and when Peter and John go to the tomb, they find it empty as well. Jesus later appears to Mary Magdalene, and she recognizes Him when He calls her name. Jesus then appears to His disciples, showing them His wounds and breathing on them, giving them the Holy Spirit.

John 21: Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances

In John 21, Jesus appears to seven of His disciples while they are fishing on the Sea of Galilee. He performs a miracle by helping them catch a large number of fish, and then He has a conversation with Peter, asking him three times if he loves Him. This interaction restores Peter after his earlier denial of Jesus.

Conclusion

The Easter story is not just a historical event but a powerful expression of God’s love for humanity. In His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him. The Easter story is found in all four Gospels, and each Gospel offers its unique perspective on the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection.

By reading the Easter story in the Bible, you are invited to reflect on the profound meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. It is a story of hope, redemption, and new life—a story that has the power to transform lives and bring people into a deeper relationship with God.

As you read these passages, take time to consider the significance of each event. Reflect on what Jesus’ death and resurrection mean for you personally. And remember, the Easter story is not just something to be celebrated once a year; it is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it is a story that brings joy and hope to every believer, every day.

Where to Read the Easter Story in the Bible?