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Bible story · Matthew 21–28, Luke 23, John 20

The Easter Story

Jesus dies on the cross, and on the third day he rises again. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

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Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

Matthew 21:9 KJV

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A few days later, Jesus was put to death on a cross, even though he had done nothing wrong. Before he died, he prayed, “Father, into your hands I give my spirit.”

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Luke 23:46 KJV

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His friends laid his body in a tomb cut out of rock, and a huge stone was rolled across the doorway. They were very sad.

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Matthew 27:60 KJV

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Early on Sunday morning, as the sun was rising, some women went to the tomb. They found that the huge stone had already been rolled away!

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Mark 16:4 KJV

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Inside sat an angel dressed in white. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus. He is not here. He is risen!”

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Mark 16:6 KJV

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Mary Magdalene was crying in the garden when someone said her name: “Mary.” She turned around. It was Jesus, alive!

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

John 20:16 KJV

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Jesus had beaten death, just as he promised. He said, “I am the resurrection, and the life.” That is why Christians celebrate Easter with joy.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:25 KJV

The end

Next story: Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Comes

What does this story teach?

  • Jesus loves us so much that he gave his life for us.
  • Jesus is alive! He rose from the dead, just as he said.
  • Because Jesus lives, death is not the end.
  • Easter is a celebration of hope and new life.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. Why do you think the crowd waved palm branches?
  2. How do you think the women felt when they saw the stone rolled away?
  3. What did the angel say?
  4. Why is Easter a happy day for Christians?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Matthew 21–28, Luke 23, John 20, one verse per screen:

Matthew 21 Luke 23 Matthew 27 Mark 16 John 20

Easter Bible Verses

Easter Bible verses from Palm Sunday to the empty tomb. Scroll KJV scripture on the cross, the resurrection and new life in Christ, one verse at a time.

Scroll easter bible verses

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Easter story in the Bible?

All four Gospels tell it: Matthew 21–28, Mark 11–16, Luke 19–24 and John 12–20. They cover Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, his death on the cross, and his resurrection on the third day.

What is the meaning of Easter?

Christians believe Jesus died for the sins of the world and rose again, defeating death. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 sums it up: “Christ died for our sins… and he rose again the third day.”

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday, a week before Easter, remembers Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey while crowds waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna” (Matthew 21:8–9, John 12:13).

How do I explain Easter to a child?

Keep it simple: Jesus loves us so much that he gave his life for us, and three days later God raised him back to life. Easter is the happy day we celebrate that Jesus is alive.

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