What is Easter really about?
Bunnies, eggs and spring dresses are part of it for a lot of people. But Easter is about something far bigger.
Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ: the day He rose from the dead, three days after He was crucified. It is the most important event in the Christian faith. “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). But He was raised. His resurrection proves He is who He said He is, that His death paid for our sins, and that death itself has been defeated. Easter means the grave is not the end, for Jesus, and for everyone who belongs to Him.
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“He is not here; He has risen”
Early on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body. They found the stone rolled away. An angel, his appearance like lightning, told them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!” They ran from the tomb with fear and great joy, and on the way, Jesus Himself met them (Matthew 28:1–9).
The first Easter week
Palm Sunday: Jesus rides into Jerusalem to cheering crowds. Thursday: the Last Supper and His arrest. Good Friday: His crucifixion and burial. Sunday: the empty tomb and the risen Jesus.
Why the resurrection matters
It proves Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). It shows His sacrifice was accepted (Romans 4:25). It defeats death (1 Corinthians 15:54–57). It guarantees our own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). And it means Jesus is alive right now, not just a figure from history.
What about eggs and bunnies?
They’re cultural traditions, not part of the Bible. Enjoy them if you like, but keep the center on the risen Jesus.
What the Bible says
- 01
He has risen.
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. “Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.””
Matthew 28:1–10 - 02
He appeared to many.
“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, and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–8 - 03
If Christ has not been raised.
“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 have perished. If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:17–22 - 04
I am the resurrection.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””
John 11:25–26 - 05
Raised to new life.
“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 walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.”
Romans 6:4–5 - 06
A living hope.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
1 Peter 1:3
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Read Matthew 28 slowly, and ask yourself: if Jesus really rose, what does that change in my life this week?
Common questions
Why is Easter on a different date each year?
It is set by the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox, connected to the timing of Passover.
Is “Easter” in the Bible?
The resurrection is. The English name came later; many believers also call it Resurrection Sunday.
Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
Yes. Read our answer on the resurrection for the evidence.
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