Is Easter in the Bible?
Growing up in independent Baptist churches meant I was very familiar with the King James Version of the Bible. For most of my life, I never thought much about the holiday of Easter beyond what we celebrated each spring—the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But in recent years, as questions and myths about Easter have circulated online, I began noticing something interesting. In the King James Version of the Bible, Acts 12:4 actually contains the word “Easter.”
That raises a natural question:
Does the Bible say the early church celebrated Easter?
The answer requires a closer look at both the resurrection of Jesus and the translation of Acts 12:4.
Quick Answer
The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate a holiday called Easter. However, the Bible clearly records the resurrection of Jesus Christ—the event Easter commemorates. The word “Easter” appears once in the King James Version in Acts 12:4, but the original Greek word refers to Passover (pascha), not the modern resurrection celebration.
How to Read This Page
If you just need the takeaway, read the Quick Answer. If you want the details (especially why the KJV uses “Easter” in Acts 12:4), keep reading.
Table of Contents
The Resurrection of Jesus Is Clearly in the Bible
Even though the Bible does not focus on a holiday called Easter, it repeatedly emphasizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
All four Gospels record the moment when the tomb was discovered empty:
- Matthew 28:1–10
- Mark 16:1–8
- Luke 24:1–12
- John 20:1–18
The resurrection is not a minor detail in Christianity—it is the center of the gospel itself. The apostle Paul writes:
“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)
In other words, the event many Christians celebrate at Easter—the resurrection of Jesus—is one of the most important truths recorded in Scripture.
Why the King James Version Mentions “Easter”
The confusion about Easter in the Bible usually comes from one verse: Acts 12:4 in the King James Version.
The KJV says Herod imprisoned Peter and planned to bring him out to the people “after Easter.”
However, the Greek word used in this passage is pascha. Throughout the New Testament, pascha consistently refers to Passover—the Jewish feast commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
For this reason, nearly every modern translation—including the ESV, NASB, NIV, and NLT—translates the word as Passover.
So why did the KJV use “Easter”?
When the King James Version was translated (early 1600s), the English word “Easter” could sometimes be used more broadly for the season around Passover. Over time, however, “Easter” became associated specifically with the Christian resurrection celebration, which is why Acts 12:4 can sound confusing today.
Quick Clarification
Acts 12:4 is not saying the early church was waiting to celebrate a Christian holiday called Easter. The verse is referring to the Jewish Passover season.
Did the Early Church Celebrate the Resurrection?
Although the New Testament does not describe a yearly holiday called Easter, it does show that the early church regularly gathered on the first day of the week.
Why Sunday?
Because Sunday was the day Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1).
Acts 20:7 describes believers gathering on the first day of the week, and by the second century Christians were already commemorating the resurrection annually during the season of Passover.
Over time, this annual remembrance became known in English as “Easter,” while many other languages continued to use a form of Pascha (Passover).
Is It Biblical for Christians to Celebrate Easter?
The Bible does not command Christians to celebrate Easter as a required holiday. At the same time, Scripture clearly encourages believers to remember and proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 14:5 reminds us that believers may honor certain days unto the Lord with the right heart:
“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”
For many Christians, Easter simply provides a special opportunity each year to reflect on the greatest news in history and to proclaim it clearly to others.
Bottom Line
The Bible may not command a holiday called Easter, but it clearly proclaims the event Easter celebrates—the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The early church gathered every Sunday because Christ had risen. Christians today continue that same celebration each week, and many set aside one special Sunday each year to reflect more intentionally on the resurrection.
And that truth remains the heart of the gospel:
The tomb is empty. Christ is risen.
Continue Exploring Easter
Want to explore more common questions about Easter traditions and history? Visit our full guide:
Easter: Fact, Fiction, and Faith — A Christian Guide to Common Easter Questions
Easter: Fact, Fiction, Faith
This post is part of a larger series examining Easter through Scripture, history, and pastoral wisdom—addressing common questions, misconceptions, and conscience concerns.
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