Easter passages move from a tomb to a claim: that the resurrection happened and that it changes what death means.
Paul's summary in 1 Corinthians 15 is the earliest written account, older than the Gospels themselves.
Compiled and reviewed by the Verse & Light editorial team · last reviewed 2026-09-20 · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
“The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.”
Context: The angel's words at the tomb, addressed to women who came expecting to prepare a body.
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.”
Context: An early creed Paul says he received, listing named witnesses still alive at the time of writing.
“But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him! For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Context: Resurrection applied to daily life: consider yourselves alive to God.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?””
Context: Spoken to Martha at her brother's grave, before anything had changed.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
Context: A living hope described as new birth, written to scattered and pressured believers.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.”
Context: Read at Easter for its description of suffering on behalf of others.
Original devotional writing by the Verse & Light editorial team — not part of the Bible text
God, thank you that death did not have the last word. Let that hope reach the parts of my life that feel finished. Amen.
Choose how you’re feeling, what you’re facing and what you need, and find a passage matched to it.
Not what you were looking for? Browse all 58 collections.