{"id":23824,"date":"2026-03-11T15:14:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:14:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/uncategorized\/the-easter-story-in-9-bible-passages\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:17:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:17:01","slug":"the-easter-story-in-9-bible-passages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/prayer\/bible-resources\/the-easter-story-in-9-bible-passages\/","title":{"rendered":"The Easter Story in 14 Bible Passages"},"content":{"rendered":"

Connect to this season on an even deeper level by reading the Easter story in the Bible. Here are answers to some common questions, followed by the Biblical story told in 14 verses with stunning artwork.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: 10 Acts of Kindness to do for Easter<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

What is the Easter Story?<\/h3>\n

The Easter story recounts Jesus\u2019 resurrection three days after His crucifixion.<\/p>\n

The Bible states how Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Shortly after, His apostle Judas agreed to betray Jesus and deliver Him to the chief priests for thirty silver pieces. After attending the last supper with His apostles and visiting the garden of Gethsemane to pray to God, Jesus was delivered to Pontius Pilate and sentenced to death. Jesus took His final steps walking through a crowd of angry people while carrying a cross. He was crucified, and with His last breath He committed himself to His father\u2019s hands. Shortly after, Jesus\u2019 body was returned to His followers, and He was buried in a tomb.<\/p>\n

However, on the following Sunday, Jesus\u2019 followers went to His tomb to find it open. Jesus\u2019 body was not inside. They knew that Jesus had risen.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: 10 Easter Eggs from Around the World<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Is the word \u201cEaster\u201d in the Bible?<\/h3>\n

The word \u201cEaster\u201d is only found in the King James Bible version of the Old Testament, in Act 12:4, when King Herod captures Peter. The verse reads:<\/p>\n

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.<\/em><\/p>\n

The events of this verse took place well before Jesus\u2019 crucifixion, so many biblical scholars, including the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archeology, believe this translation to be misleading. In every other translation of this verse, the word \u201cEaster\u201d is translated to \u201cPassover.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the word is not found anywhere in many Bibles<\/a>, the Easter story itself is still one of the most powerful stories of the New Testament.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: 40 Beautiful Easter Quotes to Share<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Where is the Easter Story in the Bible?<\/h3>\n

The Easter story is in the Bible, specifically the Book of Matthew, the Book of John, and the Book of Luke. These gospels take us through the story from Jesus entering Jerusalem to His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus\u2019 resurrection is also mentioned throughout the New Testament, from Philippians to Romans to Corinthians.<\/p>\n

Below is the Easter story told through 14 Bible verses, followed by seven Bible verses that mention Jesus\u2019 resurrection for further reading and reflection.<\/p>\n

The Easter Story in 14 Bible Verses<\/h3>\n
\"The
The fresco of Entry of Jesus in Jerusalem by Lattanzio Gambara. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Matthew 21:7-9 \u2014 Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem<\/h4>\n

They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted…<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Mosaic
Fresco of Judas betraying Jesus in Altlerchenfelder Church in Vienna. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Matthew 26:14-16 \u2014 Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus<\/h4>\n

Then one of the Twelve\u2014the one called Judas Iscariot\u2014went to the chief priests and asked, \u201cWhat are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?\u201d So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Painting
Painting of the Last Supper of Christ from St. Nicholas Church in Brussels. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Matthew 26:18 \u2014 The Last Supper<\/h4>\n

He replied, \u201cGo into the city to a certain man and tell him, \u2018The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Garden
The Garden at Gethsemane where Jesus prayed in the Easter story in the Bible. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Matthew 26:36 \u2014 The Garden of Gethsemane<\/h4>\n

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, \u201cSit here while I go over there and pray.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Vintage
Vintage color lithograph of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (1882). <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Matthew 26:39 \u2014 Jesus Prays in the Garden<\/h4>\n

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, \u201cMy Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Wood
Wood engraving of Christ before Pilate (1886). <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Matthew 27:1-2 \u2014 Jesus Delivered to Pilate<\/h4>\n

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Painting
Jesus before Pilate from Our Lady Church in Mechelen, Belgium. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. John 19:6 \u2014 The Trial of Jesus Before Pilate<\/h4>\n

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, \u201cCrucify! Crucify!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Stained
Stained glass of Jesus carrying the cross from the Easter story. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Matthew 27:30-31 \u2014 Jesus’ Final Steps<\/h4>\n

They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Jesus
The Crucifixion painting by Jean Francois Portaels (1886) in St. Jacques Church at the Palace of Coudenberg in Brussels. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. Mark 15:33 \u2014 Darkness Comes<\/h4>\n

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"The
Crucifixion painting on the wood from a side altar in the underground chapel of St. Baaf’s Cathedral in Gent, Belgium. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10. Luke 23:46 \u2014 The Death of Jesus<\/h4>\n

Jesus called out with a loud voice, \u201cFather, into your hands I commit my spirit.\u201d When he had said this, he breathed his last.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Descent
Descent from the Cross by Joos van Cleve from Mimara Museum in Zagreb, Croatia. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

11. Matthew 27:57-59 \u2014 Jesus’ Body<\/h4>\n

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus\u2019 body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth…<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Jesus
Burial of Jesus by Josef Janssens in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, Belgium. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

12. John 19:40-41 \u2014 Jesus is Buried<\/h4>\n

Taking Jesus\u2019 body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Lithograph
Lithograph of the Resurrection by Nathan Currier (1849). <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13. Luke 24:1-6 \u2014 The Resurrection<\/h4>\n

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, \u201cWhy do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Fresco
Fresco of Resurrected Christ by Josef Kastner in Carmelites Church in Vienna, Austria. <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

14. Matthew 28:8-10 \u2014 Jesus Appears<\/h4>\n

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. \u201cGreetings,\u201d he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, \u201cDo not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

More of the Easter Story in the Bible<\/h3>\n

Here are five more Bible verses to reflect on that focus on the Easter story, specifically Jesus\u2019 crucifixion when He died for our sins, and His resurrection. Bring these verses into your Easter prayers as you let the word of God guide you through this holy season.<\/p>\n