Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after his crucifixion. This proved that Jesus was truly the Son of God and paved the way for the salvation of mankind.
As we approach Easter, it is valuable to spend time reflecting on the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection. Here are some key Bible passages that give insight into what happened during that pivotal time:
Jesus Prophesies His Death
One of the most striking aspects of the Easter story is that Jesus repeatedly told his disciples ahead of time that he would suffer, die and rise again. For instance:
“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21, ESV)
“And taking the twelve, he said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.'” (Luke 18:31-33, ESV)
Jesus knew what was coming, but he willingly gave up his life out of love for us and in obedience to the Father’s plan. His foreknowledge highlights Christ’s divine nature and the intentionality of his sacrifice.
The Last Supper
On the night before his death, Jesus shared one final Passover meal with his disciples. This became known as the Last Supper. Jesus instituted communion, or the Lord’s Supper, during this meal as a remembrance of him:
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'” (Matthew 26:26-28, ESV)
The broken bread represented Christ’s body which would soon be crucified, and the wine represented his blood which would be spilled to atone for our sins. When we take communion today, it helps us remember Jesus’ sacrifice and look forward to his return.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He was distressed, knowing that he would soon endure terrible suffering:
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'” (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
Despite the intense anguish Jesus felt, he submitted himself to the Father’s will. His prayer in Gethsemane provides a model for how we can turn to God in our own times of trial.
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
After time in prayer, the Gospel accounts tell us that Judas arrived in the garden with soldiers to arrest Jesus:
“While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.’ And he came up to Jesus at once and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you came to do.’ Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.” (Matthew 26:47-50, ESV)
This betrayal by one of his own disciples was another part of the suffering Jesus bore. It reminds us that obedience to God’s will often comes at a cost.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
After being arrested, Jesus was brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, and the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. They looked for false evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death:
“Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.” (Matthew 26:59-60a, ESV)
The corrupt trial before the Sanhedrin fulfilled the prophecies that the Messiah would be wrongly condemned. Jesus remained silent and submissive through it all.
Peter Denies Jesus
While Jesus was before the high priest, Peter waited in the courtyard and denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear:
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, ‘You also were with Jesus the Galilean.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you mean.’ And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ And again he denied it with an oath: ‘I do not know the man.’ After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, ‘Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.’ Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know the man.’ And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75, ESV)
Peter’s denial is a sobering reminder that anyone can fall away in a moment of weakness. It makes Jesus’ faithfulness through suffering shine all the brighter.
Judas Hangs Himself
After betraying Jesus, Judas was filled with guilt:
“Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ They said, ‘What is that to us? See to it yourself.’ And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5, ESV)
Judas’ life ended in tragedy. We must be careful not to become so consumed with guilt that we believe ourselves beyond God’s forgiveness. There is always hope in Christ.
Jesus Before Pontius Pilate
The Jewish leaders couldn’t execute Jesus themselves under Roman law, so they brought him before the governor, Pontius Pilate:
“And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ And he answered him, ‘You have said so.’ And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, ‘Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you.’ But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.” (Mark 15:1-5, ESV)
Standing silent before his accusers, Jesus demonstrated courage and dignity in the face of injustice. Pilate actually believed Jesus was innocent, yet still sentenced him to death under pressure from the crowd.
Jesus is Mocked
In the lead up to his crucifixion, Jesus was repeatedly mocked and abused:
“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27:27-31, ESV)
This humiliation was part of God’s plan to bear our sins and sicknesses: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV)
The Crucifixion of Jesus
All four Gospels give an account of Jesus being led away and crucified at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull:
“And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there.” (Matthew 27:33-36, ESV)
The excruciating pain of crucifixion was part of God’s plan to provide salvation. Jesus willingly took this agony upon himself out of love for us. His sacrificial death made eternal life possible.
The Death of Jesus
As he hung on the cross, Jesus cried out:
“But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit.” (Matthew 27:50, ESV)
“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:44-46, ESV)
The Gospel writers emphasize that Jesus consciously gave up his life. His sacrificial death was not involuntary but a deliberate act of obedience to redeem humanity.
The Burial of Jesus
After Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea obtained permission from Pilate to bury his body:
“Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.” (Matthew 27:59-60, ESV)
The fact that Jesus was lovingly buried by Joseph of Arimathea is important evidence he was truly dead, not merely unconscious. His bodily resurrection on Easter was a physical miracle.
The Resurrection of Jesus
On the third day after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead in victory over sin and death:
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.'” (Luke 24:1-6, ESV)
The empty tomb and appearances by the risen Jesus are the climax of the Easter story. Christ’s resurrection gives us hope of eternal life and victory over sin and death.
The Great Commission
After rising from the dead, Jesus delivered a final command to his disciples:
“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.'” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)
This Great Commission sends all Jesus’ followers into the world to spread the good news of salvation through Christ. Easter impels us to share the hope we have through the resurrection.
The events surrounding Easter, from Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his suffering, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, comprise the pivotal moments in human history. As you reflect on the Easter story this year, be amazed at Christ’s sacrifice for you. Respond to the Great Commission by sharing with others the hope we have because He lives!