Easter is one of the most celebrated Christian holidays across the world. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and symbolizes hope, new life, and spiritual renewal. Every spring, Christians gather in churches to commemorate the event that lies at the very heart of their faith. They remember the suffering, crucifixion, and triumphant rising of Jesus from the dead.
But while Easter is such an important holiday for Christians today, many are surprised to learn that the word “Easter” barely appears in the Bible at all—especially in the original texts. This brings up a fascinating question for believers and scholars alike: Where is Easter mentioned in the King James Bible (KJV)? And more importantly, what does its appearance—or absence—mean?
This article explores this question in detail. We will examine where and how the word “Easter” appears in the KJV, compare it with other Bible translations, and explore the history and cultural context behind the term. Along the way, we’ll consider why the word matters and how understanding it can help us grow in our knowledge of Scripture and tradition.
The Single Mention of Easter in the King James Bible
Let’s begin with the core fact: The word “Easter” appears only once in the King James Version of the Bible. It is found in the New Testament in the Book of Acts.
Here is the full verse:
Acts 12:4 (KJV): “And when he had apprehended him, 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.”
This verse refers to King Herod arresting the apostle Peter during a time of Jewish religious observance. Herod intended to wait until after this festival before presenting Peter publicly.
But here’s where things become interesting. The original Greek word used in this verse is not actually “Easter.” It is “Pascha”, which is the Greek word for Passover, the Jewish festival that commemorates the Israelites’ escape from Egypt.
Why Does the King James Bible Say “Easter”?
Many readers and scholars have asked this question. If the original Greek says “Passover,” why did the translators of the King James Bible use the word “Easter” instead?
The answer lies in both language history and religious culture.
During the early 17th century, when the KJV was translated, English Christians were deeply rooted in traditions that had developed over many centuries. “Easter” had already become the common English term for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, which often happened close to the Jewish Passover.
In this particular verse in Acts, Herod was a Roman ruler dealing with a Jewish population, and the context indicates that the event being referred to is Passover. However, the translators may have chosen to use the word “Easter” because the early church connected the death and resurrection of Jesus with the Passover timeline. By the time the KJV was produced in 1611, Easter and Passover were closely associated in the Christian mindset.
So, while it may appear that the Bible refers to Easter directly, the original meaning of the text is actually “Passover,” not the Christian Easter holiday as we think of it today.
Comparison with Modern Bible Translations
Let’s compare how different English versions of the Bible render Acts 12:4.
King James Version (KJV): “intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”
New International Version (NIV): “intending to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.”
English Standard Version (ESV): “intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB): “intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.”
As you can see, nearly all modern translations use the word Passover instead of Easter. This is because “Pascha” is universally recognized as referring to the Jewish festival of Passover, and scholars today strive to remain as close to the original texts as possible.
Understanding the Word “Pascha”
The word “Pascha” comes from the Hebrew word “Pesach”, which refers to the Jewish feast of Passover. This is the time when Jews remember how God passed over their homes in Egypt, sparing their firstborn children and leading them to freedom.
For the early Christians, the death and resurrection of Jesus took place around the same time as Passover. In fact, the Gospels show that Jesus was crucified during Passover week. As a result, early Christians began to associate Jesus’ resurrection with Passover and later developed their own celebrations during this time.
In many languages, the word used for Easter is still based on the word “Pascha” or “Passover.” For example:
In Greek, Easter is called Pascha.
In Latin, it’s Pascha.
In Italian, it’s Pasqua.
In French, it’s Pâques.
In Spanish, it’s Pascua.
Only in English and German do we see a different word—“Easter” in English and “Ostern” in German.
The Origin of the Word “Easter”
Unlike most languages that base their word for Easter on “Pascha,” the English word “Easter” has a different origin. It comes from the Old English word “Ēastre” or “Ēostre,” which was the name of a spring goddess in Anglo-Saxon pagan tradition. This goddess was associated with spring, fertility, and renewal.
The Christian church, in trying to connect with local cultures, may have adopted the familiar springtime term “Easter” to describe the resurrection celebration. Over time, the pagan associations faded, and the term came to be understood purely in a Christian sense.
Still, the connection to older spring festivals lives on in many Easter traditions—such as the Easter bunny and Easter eggs—which have roots in pre-Christian fertility rituals.
Was Easter Celebrated in the Early Church?
The early Christian church did not celebrate Easter as a separate holiday in the way we know it today. Instead, believers remembered the resurrection of Jesus regularly—often every Sunday, which they called “the Lord’s Day.”
However, by the second century, Christians began to set aside a specific time of year to celebrate the resurrection. This annual event was often called Pascha, reflecting the connection to Passover.
There were disagreements, however, about when to celebrate it:
−Some churches wanted to celebrate it on 14 Nisan, the date of Passover.
−Others preferred to celebrate it on the Sunday after Passover, to reflect the Gospel narrative of Jesus rising on the first day of the week.
These disagreements led to tensions that lasted for centuries and were finally settled at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which established a formula for calculating the date of Easter.
Why Is the Word “Easter” Controversial Among Scholars?
Because of its limited use in the Bible and its pagan linguistic roots, the word “Easter” has become a topic of debate among biblical scholars and theologians. Some Christian groups prefer to use the term “Resurrection Day” instead of Easter, believing it to be more biblically faithful.
Others argue that language evolves, and what matters most is the meaning people attach to the word today. For most Christians, Easter is about Jesus, not about pagan gods or ancient spring festivals.
Still, the debate is useful. It reminds believers to think deeply about their traditions and to stay rooted in Scripture, not just culture.
The Deeper Meaning of Easter in the Bible
Even if the word “Easter” appears only once in the KJV—and even if that appearance actually refers to Passover—the themes of Easter are central to the Bible.
Here are some key truths tied to the meaning of Easter that are found throughout Scripture:
The death of Christ (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19)
The resurrection of Christ (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21)
The promise of new life (Romans 6:4, 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
The hope of salvation (1 Peter 1:3, Acts 4:12)
Victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Revelation 1:18)
These passages don’t use the word “Easter,” but they teach the very truths Easter celebrates.
Conclusion
To answer the original question directly: “Easter” is mentioned only once in the King James Bible, in Acts 12:4, and even then, it is a translation of the Greek word “Pascha,” which more accurately means Passover.
This single use tells us much about how religious language and traditions evolve. It reveals the connections between Jewish and Christian observances and the complex history of how faith is expressed in different cultures and times.
But more importantly, it reminds us that the heart of Easter is not in the word itself—but in the event it points to: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether we call it Easter, Pascha, or Resurrection Day, what matters most is that we understand and celebrate the victory of life over death, hope over despair, and grace over sin.
So while Easter as a word may not appear often in Scripture, its message is woven throughout the entire story of the Bible—from Genesis to Revelation.
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