Easter celebrates the empty tomb: He is not here: for he is risen (Matthew 28:5-6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:6). On the first day of the week the stone was rolled away, Mary met the risen Lord, and the disciples declared, The Lord is risen indeed (Luke 24:34).
Easter morning is the festival of the empty tomb—fear turned to joy, and "He is risen" spoken at the sepulchre. These twelve King James passages walk the resurrection day narrative. For the doctrine of why the resurrection matters (1 Corinthians 15 and related teaching), see our resurrection of Jesus page.
He is risen—the empty tomb
1. Matthew 28:5-6
"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."
The angel said unto the women, Fear not ye… He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
2. Mark 16:6
"And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."
Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
3. Luke 24:6-7
"He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you… The Son of man must be delivered… and the third day rise again.
4. Luke 24:2-3
"And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus."
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
The first day of the week
5. Matthew 28:1
"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
6. John 20:1
"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre."
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away.
7. Mark 16:9
"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
8. Luke 24:34
"Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. The church's Easter confession: the Lord is risen indeed.
Meeting the risen Lord
9. Matthew 28:8-9
"And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him."
They departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy… And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.
10. John 20:11-12
"But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."
Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping… and seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
11. John 20:19-20
"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."
The same day at evening, being the first day of the week… came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. He shewed unto them his hands and his side.
12. Acts 1:3
"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:"
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days. Easter begins forty days of risen appearances.
A short prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, on this Easter hope we rejoice: You are not in the tomb—You are risen indeed. Turn our fear into great joy, speak peace to us, and help us tell others You live. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verses are read at Easter?
Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20—the empty-tomb narratives—are the classic Easter readings. "He is risen" (Matthew 28:6) is the heart of the day.
Where does the Bible say "He is risen"?
Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, and Luke 24:6. Luke 24:34 adds the confession: "The Lord is risen indeed."
How is this different from verses about the resurrection of Jesus?
This page focuses on Easter's empty-tomb story and Resurrection Sunday. Our resurrection-of-Jesus page covers the doctrine (especially 1 Corinthians 15) of why His rising saves.
What day of the week did Jesus rise?
The Gospels say early on the first day of the week (Sunday)—e.g. Matthew 28:1; John 20:1; Mark 16:9.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about the resurrection of Jesus · Bible verses on hope · Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about joy · Bible verses about God's love
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