Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He is the firstfruits of them that slept (1 Corinthians 15:20); death hath no more dominion over him (Romans 6:9); and if Christ be not raised, our faith is vain (1 Corinthians 15:14).
The resurrection of Jesus is the center of Christian faith—not only an Easter morning story, but the doctrine that He truly rose, conquering death, and that we rise with Him. These twelve King James passages teach why the resurrection matters. For the empty-tomb festival narrative, see our Easter page.
According to the scriptures
1. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:12-14
"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some… that there is no resurrection of the dead? … if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:20
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. His rising guarantees the harvest of believers' resurrection.
4. 1 Corinthians 15:55
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The risen Christ mocks death's former claim.
Raised—death has no dominion
5. Romans 6:4
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
6. Romans 6:9
"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. The resurrection is final—He dies no more.
7. Romans 8:11
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
8. Acts 2:24
"Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Death could not hold Him.
Living hope and knowing Him
9. John 11:25
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
10. Acts 2:32
"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses."
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Apostolic preaching rests on eyewitnesses of the risen Lord.
11. 1 Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
12. Philippians 3:10
"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings. Knowing Christ includes knowing resurrection power.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for raising Jesus from the dead. Let my faith rest on His finished rising; give me living hope; and teach me the power of His resurrection in daily life. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verses explain the resurrection of Jesus?
1 Corinthians 15 is the classic chapter—especially 15:3-4, 15:14, and 15:20. Romans 6:9 and Acts 2:24 also teach that death could not hold Him.
Why does Paul say faith is vain if Christ is not raised?
1 Corinthians 15:14: if Christ be not risen, preaching and faith are vain—Christianity stands or falls with the resurrection.
What does "firstfruits" mean?
In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Christ risen is the firstfruits of them that slept—the first of the harvest guaranteeing believers' future resurrection.
How is this different from Easter Bible verses?
Easter pages retell the empty-tomb day. This page teaches the doctrine and meaning of Jesus' resurrection across the New Testament.
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 of Easter · Bible verses on hope · Bible verses about faith · Bible verses on salvation · Bible verses about God's love
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
