The Best Bible Verses to Read During Easter (NIV)
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April 01, 2025
Easter is the heart of the Christian faith — a moment of sorrow transformed into everlasting hope. It’s not just about remembering what happened on a cross and in a tomb over 2,000 years ago; it’s about what that means for us right now. These five Bible verses from the New International Version (NIV) capture the core of Easter: sacrifice, resurrection, and new life.
1. Luke 24:6-7
“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”
This is Easter in one sentence: He is risen. The angels remind the women at the tomb that Jesus had already said this would happen. His resurrection wasn’t a surprise—it was a promise kept.
2. Romans 6:8-9
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.”
Easter isn’t just about Jesus rising—it’s about us rising too. Paul makes it clear: what happened to Jesus has eternal consequences for anyone who trusts in Him.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
Jesus didn’t just defeat death for Himself—He opened the door for everyone who believes. His resurrection is the first spark in a chain reaction of life.
4. Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Long before the cross, Isaiah painted this picture of a suffering Savior. Easter only makes sense when we understand the cost of peace. Jesus took what we deserved and gave us what we never could earn.
5. John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
Jesus didn’t just raise the dead—He is the resurrection. His question to Martha is the same question He asks each of us at Easter: Do you believe this?
Easter is more than a celebration — it’s a declaration. Jesus is alive, and that changes everything. These verses help ground us in the truth of what happened and why it matters. Whether you're reading alone, with family, or in church, let these words shape your Easter with hope, courage, and joy.
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