The Day of Resurrection: The central event of Easter is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible describes this as occurring on the third day after his crucifixion (1 Corinthians 15:4).
The Empty Tomb: The Gospels (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18) recount that when Jesus' followers visited his tomb, it was empty. This discovery was the first sign that something extraordinary had happened.
Appearances of the Risen Jesus: After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to many people over a period of 40 days. These appearances are recorded in various parts of the New Testament, including to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and large groups of believers (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
"First Day of the Week": The resurrection occurred on the "first day of the week" (Mark 16:9, John 20:1), which is Sunday. This is why Christians observe Easter on a Sunday.
Not Called "Easter" in the Bible: The word "Easter" is not used in most translations of the Bible. The event is referred to by phrases like "the Lord's Day" and "Resurrection Sunday."
Apostle Paul's Emphasis: The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of the resurrection in his letters. He stated that if Christ had not been raised, Christian faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians 15:14).
Jesus Predicted His Resurrection: Jesus himself foretold his death and resurrection on several occasions during his ministry (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22).
The Disciples' Initial Doubt: When the disciples first heard about Jesus' resurrection, they didn't believe it. For example, Luke 24:11 says, "But these words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them."
Jesus's resurrected body was different: Jesus's resurrected body was not exactly the same as his pre-resurrection body. He could appear and disappear (Luke 24:31, John 20:19, 26) and was not always immediately recognized (Luke 24:16, John 20:14).
The women were the first witnesses: The women who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body were the first to discover that he had risen (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18).
Origin of the Name "Easter": The term "Easter" is believed to be derived from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess associated with spring and fertility. The Venerable Bede, an 8th-century monk, wrote about this connection. However, it's important to note that the Bible itself does not use the word "Easter."
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