What is…
Easter
This name comes from the Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, in honor of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover. Hence the name came to be given to the festival of the Resurrection of Christ, which occurred at the time of the Passover.
In the early English versions of the Bible, this word was frequently used as the translation of the Greek pascha (the Passover). When the Authorized Version [King James Bible] (1611) was formed, the word “passover” was used in all passages in which this word pascha occurred, except in Act 12:4. In the Revised [King James] Version the proper word, “passover,” is always used.
When referring to the annual celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, many followers of Christ prefer to call it “RESURRECTION SUNDAY,” rather than “Easter.”
More information
- Is Easter mentioned in the Bible? Answer
- How is the date for Easter (Resurrection Sunday) determined? Answer
- The Resurrection of Jesus
- The story of the resurrection—God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity
- Word search (printable)—“Resurrection Sunday—a time for rejoicing!”
- What is the Passover?