As the Christian world eagerly anticipates the celebration of Easter, the day before holds a special significance. Known as Holy Saturday or Black Saturday, it marks the solemn period between Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and Easter Sunday, symbolizing his resurrection. Amidst the anticipation and reflection of this sacred time, many turn to scripture for guidance and inspiration.
Bible Verse For The Day Before Easter
Each verse carries profound meaning, resonating with individuals in unique ways as they prepare their hearts for the joyous occasion of Easter Sunday. In this article, we explore a carefully chosen Bible verse for the day before Easter, offering insight, encouragement, and spiritual nourishment to those who seek it.
Understanding the Significance of Holy Saturday
1. Matthew 27:57–60
“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.”
2. Mark 15:42–46
“When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Joseph bought a linen cloth, took him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.”
3. Luke 23:50–53
“And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.”
4. John 19:38–42
“After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore, because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
5. Isaiah 53:9
“His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.”
6. Romans 6:4
“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
7. 1 Peter 3:18
“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.”
8. Hebrews 9:27-28
“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”
9. Ephesians 1:7-8
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,”
10. Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Reflections on the Crucifixion: Preparing for Easter Sunday
11. Isaiah 53:5
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
12. Romans 5:10
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
13. Colossians 1:20
“and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
14. 1 Corinthians 1:18
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
15. Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
16. Philippians 2:8
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
17. Hebrews 12:2
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
18. 1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”
19. John 12:32
“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
20. Revelation 1:5
“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,”
Scriptural Guidance for the Day of Anticipation
21. Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
22. Psalm 30:5
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
23. Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
24. Psalm 42:5
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation”
25. Isaiah 26:3
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
26. Romans 8:24-25
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
27. Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
28. Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
29. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
30. Psalm 33:20-22
“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart are glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
Finding Comfort and Inspiration in Bible Verses
31. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
32. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
33. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
34. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
35. Romans 15:4
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
36. Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
37. Isaiah 40:31
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
38. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
39. Psalm 119:50
“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”
40. Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Scriptures for Holy Saturday
41. Psalm 130:7-8
“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”
42. Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
43. Titus 2:14
“Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
44. Hebrews 9:12
“He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
45. 1 Peter 1:18-19
“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
46. Colossians 1:13-14
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
47. Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'”
48. Galatians 3:13
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'”
49. Romans 3:23-24
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
50. Isaiah 44:22
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Conclusion
As we approach the culmination of the Lenten season and stand on the threshold of Easter, the significance of the day before cannot be overstated. In the quietude of Holy Saturday, we find ourselves suspended between despair and hope, reflecting on the profound sacrifice of Christ and the promise of his resurrection. The chosen Bible verse for this sacred day serves as a beacon of light, guiding us through the darkness and illuminating the path to redemption and renewal.
Whether it be through prayer, meditation, or contemplation, may we find solace and strength in the timeless wisdom of scripture as we prepare to embrace the joy and victory of Easter Sunday. As we journey forward, let us carry with us the profound truths and transformative power encapsulated in these verses, allowing them to shape our hearts and minds, now and always.
