When did Easter start in the Bible? This question has intrigued Christians for centuries, as they seek to understand the origins and significance of this important religious holiday. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian faith, and its celebration has its roots deeply embedded in the Bible.
Easter is not mentioned explicitly in the Bible, as it is a festival that was developed by early Christians to honor the resurrection of Jesus. The exact date of when Easter started in the Bible is not recorded, but it is generally believed to have originated in the first few centuries after Christ’s death.
The origins of Easter can be traced back to the early church’s observance of Passover, a Jewish festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Christians saw parallels between the Passover and the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. As a result, they began to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the same day as the Jewish Passover.
The first written record of Easter dates back to the second century, when the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 established a uniform date for Easter. Prior to this, different regions within the Christian church celebrated Easter on various days, often coinciding with the Jewish Passover. The Council of Nicaea decided that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, which is typically around March 21st.
This decision was made to ensure that Easter would always be celebrated after the Jewish Passover, as Christians wanted to emphasize the connection between Jesus’ resurrection and the liberation of the Israelites. The date of Easter is determined by the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar system used by most of the world today.
In the Bible, the resurrection of Jesus is recounted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These accounts describe the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, his death, and his resurrection on the third day. The Bible does not explicitly mention the celebration of Easter, but it does provide the foundation for the holiday’s significance.
In conclusion, while the Bible does not explicitly state when Easter started, it is clear that the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection has its roots in the early church’s observance of Passover. The Council of Nicaea in AD 325 established the uniform date for Easter, which is based on the Jewish Passover and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians continue to celebrate Easter, they honor the profound impact of Jesus’ resurrection on their faith and the world.
