Is Easter mentioned in the Bible?

Easter, as we know it today, is not directly mentioned in the Bible. The celebration of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has its roots in the biblical accounts of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, but the term "Easter" itself and the specific traditions associated with it are not found in the scriptures. However, the events that Easter celebrates are deeply rooted in the New Testament, and the significance of these events is central to the Christian faith.

The New Testament provides a detailed account of the events leading up to and including the resurrection of Jesus. These accounts can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of Christian belief, symbolizing victory over sin and death and the promise of eternal life.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about the resurrection in chapter 28. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb, and there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone and sat on it. The angel announced to the women, "He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay" (Matthew 28:6, ESV). This proclamation is the foundation of the Easter celebration.

Similarly, the Gospel of Mark recounts the resurrection in chapter 16. When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and a young man dressed in a white robe told them, "He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him" (Mark 16:6, ESV).

The Gospel of Luke also describes the resurrection in chapter 24. The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went to the tomb and found the stone rolled away. Two men in dazzling apparel appeared and said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:5-6, ESV).

In the Gospel of John, the resurrection is detailed in chapter 20. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning and saw that the stone had been removed. She ran to tell Peter and the other disciple, and they found the linen cloths lying there. Later, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'" (John 20:17, ESV).

While the term "Easter" is not used in these accounts, the resurrection of Jesus is the event that Easter celebrates. The term "Easter" itself is believed to have originated from the Old English word "Ēastre" or "Ēostre," which was the name of a pagan festival celebrating the spring equinox. As Christianity spread, the celebration of Jesus' resurrection was merged with these existing springtime festivals, and the name "Easter" became associated with the Christian holiday.

The early Christian church did not initially celebrate Easter as we do today. Instead, they observed the resurrection of Jesus during the Jewish festival of Passover. This is evident in the writings of early church fathers such as Polycarp and Irenaeus. Over time, the celebration of the resurrection became more distinct from Passover, and the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 established the date for Easter as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.

Easter is now a central part of the Christian liturgical calendar, marking the culmination of Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday (commemorating the Last Supper) and Good Friday (commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus). The resurrection of Jesus is celebrated with great joy and reverence, symbolizing the hope and new life that come through faith in Christ.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes about the resurrection of Christ and its significance for believers. He states, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:17-20, NIV). Paul's words highlight that the resurrection is not just an event to be commemorated but a foundational truth that underpins the entire Christian faith.

The resurrection of Jesus is also mentioned in other New Testament writings. In Romans 6:4, Paul writes, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (NIV). This verse connects the resurrection to the believer's new life in Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus' victory over death.

The Book of Acts also records the apostles' preaching about the resurrection. In Acts 2:24, Peter declares, "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him" (NIV). The resurrection was a central theme in the apostles' message, as they proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.

While the specific term "Easter" is not found in the Bible, the celebration of Jesus' resurrection is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative. The resurrection is a pivotal event in the Christian faith, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life. The traditions and customs associated with Easter have evolved over time, but the core message remains the same: Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, and through Him, we have the promise of new life.

In conclusion, Easter as a term and a specific celebration is not mentioned in the Bible, but the event it commemorates—the resurrection of Jesus Christ—is thoroughly documented in the New Testament. The resurrection is a foundational truth of the Christian faith, celebrated with great joy and reverence by believers around the world. The traditions and customs associated with Easter have developed over centuries, but they all point back to the central message of hope and new life through Jesus Christ.