Is “Easter” mentioned in Scripture?

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The word “Easter” is not in the original Scriptures. However, one English translation of the Bible does use the word. The King James Version translates Acts 12:4 like this:

“And when he [Herod Agrippa, the King] had apprehended him [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”

The book of Acts was originally written in the Greek language by the Christian Gentile and physician Luke. The Greek word that the King James Version translates as “Easter” is actually the word “Pascha” (Hebrew: פסח—Pesach) which means “Passover”—and this is how all modern translations show it. For example, the New King James Version says,

“So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.”

It was during an annual Passover celebration that Jesus was crucified at Jerusalem. Passover is an annual Jewish religious celebration instituted by God (Leviticus 23:5). It dates from the time of Moses when God delivered the Israelites from bondage and spared their first-borns when all first-borns in Egypt died (Exodus 12:11f; Numbers 9:2f; Deuteronomy 16:1f; 2 Kings 23:21f).

Author: Paul S. Taylor of Films for Christ.

Further information

• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Why do we celebrate Easter? Answer (for kids)

• For a possible explanation of why the King James translators used the word “Easter,” instead of “Passover” in Acts, see: Is the Name “Easter” of Pagan Origin? (off-site Answers in Genesis)

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