The Easter Bible Story: Christ's Resurrection and Ascension

Let's dive into the Easter Bible story of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Read and reflect on the true significance and meaning of Christ willingly giving His life and overcoming death for our restoration. Rejoice, for He is risen!

"Now the Church consists of both her earthly and heavenly parts, for the Son of God came to earth and became man that He might lead man into heaven and make him once again a citizen of Paradise, returning to him his original state of sinlessness and wholeness and uniting him unto Himself." ~ St. John the Wonderworker

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The Easter Story Simplified

Jesus, the Son of God and fully man challenged the authorities of his time. Some saw him as a beacon of hope, others as a threat.

This tension climaxed in his arrest, trial, and execution on a Roman cross. He knew this was his fate and chose to sacrifice himself for us. On the third day, the tomb where Jesus was laid was found empty. There is no corpse, no decay, just an empty tomb. This is the story of the resurrection, a triumph over death itself.

Easter celebrates the light that shines even in the deepest darkness, the belief that death is not the end and that Christ, in His love for us, will conquer all.

Read the Easter Bible story of Christ's resurrection as told in the gospel of Matthew and the scriptures of His ascension to heaven from the gospels of Mark and Luke below. Meditate on the glorious victory of Christ, defeating death and restoring the world from sin!

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57

The Easter Story for Kids

When Jesus, the Son of God, lived on Earth he worked as a kind and loving teacher and taught people about God, love, and kindness. A lot of people admired and agreed with Jesus, but some didn't like what he was teaching.

One of Jesus' friends, Judas, betrayed him by telling others where to find him. Jesus was arrested and faced a lot of tough times, including being hurt and made fun of. Despite the suffering, Jesus stayed calm and strong because he believed in love and forgiveness, and he knew what was going to happen because it was his reason for coming to Earth.

On a Friday, known as Good Friday, Jesus was nailed to a cross, and he died. His followers were sad and scared, but something incredible happened on the third day, which we call Easter Sunday.

Jesus came back to life! This event is called the Resurrection, and it shows that God is more powerful than anything, even death.

We celebrate Easter to remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus. Easter is a time for joy, hope, and new beginnings because Jesus' resurrection brings the promise of life after difficult times.

Timeline of the Easter Story

Holy Week, is the week preceding Easter that commemorates the events leading up to Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The timeline of Holy Week is primarily detailed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Here's a simple timeline:

Palm Sunday: Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and people greet Him by waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19).

Monday to Wednesday: During these days, Jesus continues to teach in Jerusalem, and various events occur, including the cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:12-19, Luke 19:45-48).

Maundy Thursday: Jesus celebrates the Passover meal (Last Supper) with His disciples, institutes the Lord's Supper (Communion), and washes the disciples' feet (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-38, John 13:1-38).

Good Friday: Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested, leading to His trial and crucifixion on the cross. He dies in the afternoon (Matthew 26:47-27:66, Mark 14:43-15:47, Luke 22:47-23:56, John 18:1-19:42).

Holy Saturday: Jesus' body is placed in the tomb, and the disciples observe the Sabbath (Matthew 27:57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42).

Easter Morning: The women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, go to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices (Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1).

Empty Tomb: The women discover that the stone covering the tomb has been rolled away, and the tomb is empty. An angel appears, announcing that Jesus has risen from the dead (Matthew 28:2-4, Mark 16:4-7, Luke 24:2-7, John 20:2).

Peter and John Investigate: Peter and John run to the tomb to see for themselves. They find the linen wrappings but no body. They begin to understand the resurrection (John 20:3-10, Luke 24:12).

Appearances of Jesus: Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene near the tomb, instructing her to tell the disciples about His resurrection (Matthew 28:9-10, Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18). Jesus appears to the other women who were at the tomb (Matthew 28:8-10). Later in the day, Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, revealing Himself in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:13-35). In the evening, Jesus appears to the gathered disciples, including Thomas, in a locked room (Matthew 28:16-20, Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-23).

Commission to the Disciples: Jesus commissions His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Easter Story in the Bible

The Resurrection: Matthew 28:1-10

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

The Report of the Guard: Matthew 28:11-15

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

The Ascension of Christ

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. ~ Mark 16:19-20

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. ~ Luke 24:50-53

Bible Meaning of Easter

The biblical meaning of Easter centers around the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as He foretold in Mark 8:31, "And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again." His resurrection confirms His identity and that His accomplishment at the cross was accepted by God the Father. Jesus now lives as the faithful companion, master, and Lord of those who respond to His great commission.

As the resurrected Lord, Jesus calls upon his followers to make disciples of all people groups through the preaching of the gospel of the heavenly kingdom, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. Be not afraid or discouraged, for Jesus is always with us.

Prayer for Easter Sunday

Inspiring Bible Verses for Easter

1 John 5:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

John 11:25-27
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Romans 1:4
And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Romans 5:8
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 4:25
Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

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Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:

What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start?
What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday?
What is Palm Sunday?
What is Maundy Thursday?
What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday?
What is Holy Saturday?

What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday?
Easter Bible Verses
The Resurrection of Jesus
Easter Prayers