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where is easter in the bible

Where Is Easter in the Bible?

Short answer: The word "Easter" appears only once in the entire Bible—and only in the King James Version (KJV) at Acts 12:4. However, this is widely recognized by scholars as a mistranslation ; the original Greek word is pascha , meaning Passover.

The Real Easter Story Is Everywhere

While the word "Easter" is virtually absent, the event it celebrates—Jesus Christ's resurrection—is the cornerstone of the entire New Testament and is recounted in vivid detail across multiple books.

Key Passages for the Easter Story

Event| Primary Bible Passages
---|---
Triumphal Entry| Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:1–10; Luke 19:28–44; John 12:12–19
Last Supper| Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–23; John 13:1–30
Crucifixion| Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19
Burial| Matthew 27:57–66; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42
Resurrection| Matthew 28 ; Mark 16 ; Luke 24 ; John 20–21

The resurrection is also referenced throughout the epistles, including:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – Paul's concise summary of the gospel
  • Romans 6:4 – Raised to walk in newness of life
  • 1 Peter 1:3 – A living hope through the resurrection
  • Philippians 3:10 – Knowing the power of His resurrection

Why the Confusion?

  • Translation Quirk: In Acts 12:4, the KJV translators rendered pascha as "Easter," likely reflecting an English tradition of the time. Modern translations (NIV, ESV, NASB, etc.) correctly translate it as Passover.
  • Historical Context: The event in Acts 12 actually occurred during the Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread , which immediately follows Passover—not the Christian holiday of Easter.
  • Theological Focus: Early Christians celebrated the resurrection weekly (on the Lord's Day, Sunday) rather than as an annual festival. The formal holiday of Easter developed later in church history.

Bottom Line

If you're looking for the Easter story , open any of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) and read the final chapters. That's where you'll find the empty tomb, the angelic announcement ("He is not here; He has risen!"), and Jesus's post-resurrection appearances.

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." — Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

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