What Are Easter and the Resurrection?

Easter is the festival in the Christian tradition commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and it rests on one of the events at the heart of Christian faith. This page summarizes, neutrally, how the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are recounted in the Bible and the origin and meaning of Easter; afterward you can read the chapters where this story appears here for free.

Where is the resurrection account found?

Jesus' final days, death and resurrection are recounted at the end of all four Gospels. Luke 23 tells of the crucifixion, and Luke 24 of the discovery of the empty tomb and the encounters that followed the resurrection. Matthew 27-28 and John 19-20 relate the same events from their own perspectives. Read together, the four accounts yield a fuller picture.

How is the crucifixion described?

According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested and tried in Jerusalem and then crucified at a place called Golgotha. The account describes his suffering, his final words and his death, then relates that his body was placed in a tomb. These events coincide with the days of the Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach) — a connection that also bears on the timing of Easter.

What does the resurrection account say?

According to the Gospels, on the third day after Jesus' death the women who went to his tomb found it empty. The accounts relate that Jesus was proclaimed risen and afterward met with his disciples. The resurrection is regarded as one of the foundational claims of Christian faith; Easter is therefore the most important festival commemorating this event.

When is Easter celebrated?

The date of Easter changes each year; it is set in spring according to a calculation tied to the lunar calendar. It therefore falls not on a fixed day but on a date that shifts from year to year. Because Western and Eastern churches use different calendars, the day of celebration can sometimes differ. This is a matter of tradition and calendar; the account itself gives no specific date.

How can I read the resurrection account?

If you want to read the events firsthand, Luke 23-24, Matthew 27-28 and John 19-20 are the best places to start. The apostle Paul also discusses the significance of the resurrection at length in one of his letters (1 Corinthians 15). You can read these chapters here, free and ad-free.

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Guides

What is Easter?

Easter is the festival in the Christian tradition commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is celebrated each spring on a shifting date.

Where was Jesus crucified?

According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified at a place called Golgotha near Jerusalem (Luke 23; John 19). His body was then placed in a tomb.

What does the resurrection mean?

In the Gospel account, the resurrection is the finding of Jesus' tomb empty on the third day after his death and the proclamation that he had risen. It is regarded as one of the central claims of Christian faith.

Why does Easter fall on a different date each year?

Easter's date is set in spring by a calculation tied to the lunar calendar, so it is not fixed. Because Western and Eastern churches use different calendars, the day can also differ.

Where can I read the resurrection account?

The most detailed accounts are in Luke 23-24, Matthew 27-28 and John 19-20. You can read these chapters on this site, free and ad-free.