What is the meaning of Easter?

TL;DR:

Easter celebrates the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, proving He conquered sin and death and offers eternal life to all who believe. Easter is the greatest reason for hope in human history.

The word "Easter" has roots in both Greek and Latin, but its exact origin is complex and layered. Some scholars suggest the English word "Easter" may derive from a word for “east,” where the sun rises, representing light and new beginnings. In many languages influenced by Latin and Greek, however, the name for Easter is based on Pascha, which comes from the Hebrew word Pesach (Passover), tying the resurrection to the Passover sacrifice. Together, these roots highlight Easter as both a celebration of Christ’s rising and a season of spiritual renewal and hope. Jesus Christ’s resurrection is what Christians celebrate for Easter.

from the old testament

Many Jewish prophets foretold Jesus’ coming and the salvation that was promised (2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 2:7, 11–12; Proverbs 30:4; Isaiah 7:14; 52:13—53:12).
Easter proves that God has always wanted and always longed for a restored relationship with humanity, not just anyone of Jewish descent but anyone who is willing to believe in Jesus and accept that we need Him (see Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 49:6).

from the new testament

Jesus' resurrection took place during Passover (Mark 14:12-16), which on the Jewish calendar is in spring, and it was at dawn that His disciples discovered His tomb empty. He then appeared to them as the risen Lord (John 20:1-23).
Jesus' resurrection—what we celebrate on Easter—confirmed He is who He claimed and that His death was sufficient to pay for our sins. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can be made children of God and have true life in Him (John 1:12; 3:16-18). To be saved from eternal judgment and separation from God and from our sins is the greatest of all reasons to celebrate. No other religion has a documented historical figure who defeated death. And no other religion has a god or goddess who was willing to sacrifice themselves for mortal humans.
For Christians, people who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, Easter means we can now have eternal life with God. We have forgiveness of sins because of Jesus' sacrifice of His own life (2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Ephesians 1:3-10; Colossians 1:14), and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit as children of God, adopted into His family as His own (Ephesians 1:5, 13-14).

implications for today

Easter is the name Christians use for the most significant celebration in the Church calendar—the day that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a moment that changed human history forever. While some have speculated a link between the word Easter and the ancient pagan goddess Eostre due to similarities in name, no historical evidence connects the Christian celebration of the resurrection with pagan worship. The events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are not only foundational to Christian belief but are also supported by historical accounts from both biblical and extra-biblical sources. These include writings from first-century historians, such as Josephus and Tacitus, alongside the prophetic words of Old Testament figures who foretold the coming of a Messiah and the salvation He would bring.

At its heart, Easter is about relationship and redemption. The resurrection declares that the God who created the universe desires a personal, living relationship with us. That relationship begins with the recognition of our sin and the realization that we cannot save ourselves. It is only when we understand our deep need for a Savior that we can grasp the significance of who Jesus is—fully God, fully man, and uniquely qualified to bear our sins, conquer death, and offer eternal life.

While cultural traditions like egg hunts and festive meals can be enjoyable parts of the Easter season, they are secondary to the true meaning of the day. Easter is, above all, the proclamation of the gospel—the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again, making a way for us to be restored to God (Luke 2:10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is a celebration not only of what happened over two thousand years ago but also of what that victory means for each of us today.

understand

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, confirming Him as the Savior who conquered sin and death.
Easter’s true meaning is rooted in Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy and God’s plan for redemption.
Easter means anyone—Jew or Gentile—can have eternal life through faith in Jesus and be restored to a relationship with God if they believe in Him.

reflect

How does knowing that Easter celebrates a real, historical event—the resurrection of Jesus—affect the way you view the Easter celebration?
What does it mean to you personally that God desires a restored relationship with you through Jesus’ death and resurrection?
What Easter traditions help you acknowledge what Jesus has done for us and the true meaning of Easter?

engage

How does Easter connect to the Old Testament promises and prophecies?
How can we help each other keep the focus of Easter on Jesus and not just on cultural traditions?
What does Easter show us about the nature of God’s love and plan of salvation, and how can we live that out in our relationships with others?