**The Bible reveals more about Easter than some would think** *. 

The word Easter generally refers to a Christian festival or holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In several other languages, the word used for this festival is more related to Pascha (e.g., Dutch: Pasen, Russian: Пасха, Spanish: Pascua). This indicates a relation of the festival to the Jewish/Hebrew Pesach, or Passover festival, which is celebrated to commemorate the exodus of the Jews/Israelites from Egypt. The Bible contains many scriptures that speak about this Passover festival (e.g., Exodus 12:18, Exodus 12:25-27, Numbers 9:1-5, 2 Kings 23:21-23, Ezekiel 45:21-24, Luke 2:41-42,). The bible also connects the events of Jesus death and resurrection to the time period of the celebration of the Passover commemoration (Matthew 26:17-19). Jesus himself, instated the lords evening meal with the wine and the bread representing his blood and body, on the night of the Passover meal (on the 14 Nisan), and told his followers to keep doing this in remembrance of him (Luke. 22:19, 1 COR. 11:24). There are also symbolic links between the Passover festival and the death and sacrifice of Jesus. 

> “…For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” 1 Corinthians 5:7 [NIV]

Note: the concept of a “Lamb” that was sacrificed to pay or take away sins, and the representation of Jesus as a Lamb on earth as well as in heaven (Isaiah 53:7, John 1:29, Revelation 5:12.).
Later also Paul wrote about this new celebration of the lords evening meal (1 Corinthians 11:20-29). There is however, no mention or indication in the bible of a celebration or festival of Jesus resurrection. That does not mean that Jesus’ resurrection was not an important or significant event. It is essential (1 Corinthians 15:14–19), but there are no records of its celebration in the bible. 

Furthermore, the symbols used at the celebration of Easter as it is common today with Easter eggs and Easter bunnies has clearly shared roots with festivals, tradition, and rituals of pagan origins. The decoration of eggshells already happened in ancient cultures in Africa, and Mesopotamia. Also, the Etymology of the word Easter, seems to be related to “Eostre” a Germanic spring goddess. Apparently, the pagan German Anglo-Saxon feasts in Eostre’s honor with the use of fertility symbols have been mixed with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. 

The Bible also contains some clear directions about abstaining from pagan celebrations and traditions (Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 13:1-18, I Peter 1:18, Exodus 34:14, [what could that ‘name’ be?], James 3:11-12  Revelation 22:18-19). This is a short summary of how Jehovah’s Witnesses relate the contents of the bible to the concepts of the Easter celebration. And these are also the principles behind, why they do not celebrate Easter. It should however also be noted, that Jehovah’s Witnesses do “celebrate” or commemorate the evening meal celebration that Jesus instated, and asked his apostles to keep doing (Luke. 22:19, 1 COR. 11:24). 

> “After giving thanks, he broke [the loaf] and said: ‘This means my body which is in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.’” 1 Corinthians 11:24 [NWT]. 

**Further References** that clarify the views of Jehovah’s Witnesses on this topic in more detail are:

[Watchtower 5/15 1963 Easter- What Are Its Origins][1] 

[Watchtower 3/1 2015 Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration?][2] 

*The Bible does not explicitly speak about an AK-47 Kalashnikov rifle, however, it’s a weapon used for threat and killing, and the bible says about principles related to life, weapons, and killing. Similarly, historical facts related to the celebration's origins and the etymology of Easter give some handles to which many general and specific bible principles could be applied. 


  [1]: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1963284?q=easter&p=par
  [2]: https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2015165#h=1:0-14:0