Easter Bible Verses and the Resurrection Story

Genesis

The resurrection story actually begins in the pages of the Old Testament. As early as Genesis 3:15, after Adam and Eve sinned, God announced that He would send a “seed” or descendant of the woman (Eve) to “strike” the head of the serpent. Here are God’s words to the serpent…

I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 HCSB

Satan (the serpent) struck the “heel” of Christ at the crucifixion, but Jesus struck the “head” of Satan by sacrificing himself and then overcoming death in the resurrection by God’s power. (More about that in a moment.) God’s plan for the crucifixion and resurrection was first revealed here. Jesus would be the “seed” of Genesis 3:15.

The Psalms

When King David penned Psalm 16 he was expressing his confidence in the Lord to protect him even in death. In the New Testament, both Peter (Acts 2:25-28) and Paul (Acts 13:33-35) interpreted Psalm 16:10 as an expression of the Messiah’s confidence that God would raise him from the dead. Here is Psalm 16:10…

For you will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see decay. Psalm 16:10 HCSB

Isaiah

Virtually all scholars agree that Isaiah 53 describes the vicarious suffering of the coming Messiah on our behalf. Verse 8 suggests he would die or be “cut off from the land of the living” as a result of his suffering and “my people’s rebellion.” But notice what else the prophet says of the Messiah in Isaiah 53:10c…

He will see His seed, He will prolong His days… Isaiah 53:10c

The only way the Messiah could be “cut off from the land of the living” AND “see His seed” or “prolong His days” would be through resurrection.

Jesus’ Teachings

In Jesus’ own ministry, he repeatedly spoke of his approaching death and resurrection. Consider these passages from the Gospels…

From then on Jesus began to point out to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Matthew 16:21 HCSB

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” Matthew 17:9 HCSB

As they were meeting in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” And they were deeply distressed. Matthew 17:22-23 HCSB

“Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and He will be resurrected on the third day.” Matthew 20:18-19 HCSB

Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. He was openly talking about this. So Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan, because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s!” Mark 8:31-33 HCSB

As they were coming down from the mountain, He ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept this word to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. Mark 9:9-10 HCSB

Then they left that place and made their way through Galilee, but He did not want anyone to know it. For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after He is killed, He will rise three days later.” But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him. Mark 9:30-32 HCSB

But He strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” Luke 9:21-22 HCSB

Then He took the Twelve aside and told them, “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that is written through the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be handed over to the Gentiles, and He will be mocked, insulted, spit on; and after they flog Him, they will kill Him, and He will rise on the third day.” They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. Luke 18:31-34 HCSB

The Jewish Passover was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple complex He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there. After making a whip out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!” And His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for Your house will consume Me. So the Jews replied to Him, “What sign of authority will You show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered, “Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days.” Therefore the Jews said, “This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made. John 2:13-22 HCSB

Jesus’ Enemies

Jesus clearly was anticipating his death and resurrection. So much so that even his enemies were aware of Jesus’ claim that he would rise from the dead. Consider this passage regarding Jesus’ enemies…

The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.” “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard. Matthew 27:62-66 HCSB (Following the crucifixion, but before the resurrection.)

The Gospel Writers

Jesus’ anticipation of his resurrection underscores the inseparable relationship between the crucifixion and resurrection. It was not enough for Jesus to die. He had to overcome death, and that’s exactly what happened!

Jesus was crucified on Friday and then buried before the beginning of the Sabbath at roughly 6:00 Friday evening. The Jews of that day counted any portion of a day as a day. Friday was the first day. Saturday was the second day. On Sunday, the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead! Here again, there are numerous Bible verses about Easter (the resurrection) that affirm the reality and drama of this miraculous event. Here is a description of the events of early Sunday morning…

According to Matthew…

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.” Matthew 28:1-10 HCSB

According to Mark…

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us? ” Looking up, they observed that the stone — which was very large — had been rolled away. When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. Mark 16:1-6 HCSB

According to Luke…

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ” asked the men. “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’? ” And they remembered His words. Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Luke 24:1-9 HCSB

According to John…

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went home again. But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” — which means “Teacher.” “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father — to My God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord! ” And she told them what He had said to her. John 20:1-18 HCSB

Jesus made other appearances on that and following days. John continued his narrative of Sunday’s events…

In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” After saying this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. John 20:19-24 HCSB

Only Luke recorded the story about two disciples on the “road to Emmaus.” The event took place on Sunday, the day of the resurrection. Here is Luke’s account…

Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing Him. Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. The one named Cleopas answered Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” “What things? ” He asked them. So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him.” He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther. But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, who said, “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:13-35 HCSB

Luke’s narrative continues with Jesus appearing to the group of gathered disciples Sunday evening…

And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you! ” But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. “Why are you troubled? ” He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Touch Me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and He took it and ate in their presence. Then He told them, “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And look, I am sending you what My Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” Luke 24:36-49 HCSB

The Bible tells us of other appearances of Jesus in the days following his resurrection. For example, John 20:24 tells us that Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared to the disciples Sunday evening (see above). Only John tells us the story of “doubting Thomas,” eight days later, in these verses…

But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord! ” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe! ” After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you! ” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.” Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God! ” Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.” John 20:24-29

The story of Thomas is important because it demonstrates the integrity of these accounts. Even the disciples had difficulty believing in the resurrection at first.

We are not including all of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances here for the sake of space. Suffice it to say that the biblical record is clear regarding the testimony of many who saw Jesus alive after his crucifixion.

Acts

There are, however, other Bible verses and passages that underscore the centrality of the resurrection to the Christian faith. Here are a few.

When Peter preached in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, he repeatedly pointed to the resurrection to demonstrate Jesus was the Messiah. Consider this excerpt of his sermon…

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. For David says of Him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, because You will not leave me in Hades or allow Your Holy One to see decay. You have revealed the paths of life to me; You will fill me with gladness in Your presence. “Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay.” God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:22-36 HCSB

Notice how Peter references King David in his sermon and specifically quotes from Psalm 16:10 (see above.)

Not long after this event, Peter and John heal a lame man in the temple complex. When a crowd gathers to see what’s happening, Peter uses the opportunity to preach another sermon. Notice again how he emphasizes the resurrection…

“Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you. You killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this. Acts 3:12b-15 HCSB

When Peter and John were later questioned by the Jewish leaders about this healing, this is part of Peter’s response…

Rulers of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man — by what means he was healed — let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene — whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead — by Him this man is standing here before you healthy. Acts 4:8b-10 HCSB

Shortly after this event and after being imprisoned and miraculously released, Peter went back to preaching in the temple. When they were examined again, we see Peter’s response is similar to his first…

We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:29b-32 HCSB

The resurrection was central to the early preaching of the church. This is also demonstrated by Paul’s preaching following his conversion. His preaching contained the same emphasis on the resurrection as Peter’s. Here’s an excerpt of when Paul was preaching in a synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia…

Brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, the message of this salvation has been sent to us. For the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers, since they did not recognize Him or the voices of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled their words by condemning Him. Though they found no grounds for the death penalty, they asked Pilate to have Him killed. When they had fulfilled all that had been written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and put Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead, and He appeared for many days to those who came with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people. And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors. God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm: You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Since He raised Him from the dead, never to return to decay, He has spoken in this way, I will grant you the faithful covenant blessings made to David. Therefore He also says in another passage, You will not allow Your Holy One to see decay. For David, after serving his own generation in God’s plan, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and decayed. But the One God raised up did not decay. Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses. Acts 13:26-39 HCSB

Notice how Paul, like Peter, referred to King David and also quoted from Psalm 16:10.

Paul’s famous sermon at the Areopagus in Athens contains the same broad message regarding the resurrection…

The God who made the world and everything in it — He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Being God’s offspring then, we shouldn’t think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, “We’d like to hear from you again about this.” Acts 17:24-32 HCSB

Paul’s Letters

Paul’s letters also make the point that the resurrection is central and essential to the Christian faith. We will identify several instances below, but first be sure to note that all of this affirms the point made in Genesis 3:15, Satan’s (the serpent) defeat depends on the resurrection. That is, Jesus’ resurrection is essential to his absolute victory over Satan. It wasn’t enough for Jesus merely to die. He had to be raised as well. Paul spoke of the necessity of Christ’s resurrection in his first letter to the Corinthian church…

But now Christ has 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 also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death. For God has put everything under His feet. But when it says “everything” is put under Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception. And when everything is subject to Christ, then the Son Himself will also be subject to the One who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 HCSB

Paul also connected Jesus’ resurrection with our own resurrection and the new life we have in Christ…

How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:2b-5 HCSB

And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:11 HCSB

Paul said faith in the resurrection is essential to salvation…

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 HCSB

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul provided the clearest definition of the gospel in all of the New Testament. Notice the centrality of the resurrection…

For I passed on to you as most important what 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 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 HCSB

Paul said this summary of the gospel message was delivered as “most important.” That being the case, we must agree the resurrection is essential to the faith. This is further emphasized by Paul when he argued in the same chapter that if there is no resurrection in general or resurrection of Jesus specifically, then our faith is “worthless.” He said…

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ — whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Some other verses where Paul notes the resurrection include…

We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. 2 Corinthians 4:14 HCSB

And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:15 HCSB

Paul, an apostle — not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead… Galatians 1:1 HCSB

He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens… Ephesians 1:20 HCSB

For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead — Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 HCSB

1 Peter

Finally, it should be noted that Peter also affirmed the resurrection…

He was chosen before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:20-21 HCSB

The above survey of Bible verses related to Easter and the resurrection should readily demonstrate that Jesus’ resurrection is central to the biblical story and essential to our faith as God’s people.