Easter is the happiest day of the Christian year, and one short Bible verse explains why. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, the apostle Paul tells us the most important news of all: Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. In this Easter Bible verse for kids, we will read the verse together, find out what it means in simple words, and try some fun activities to help children remember it.

The Easter Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (KJV)

Short memory version for little ones: “He rose again the third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:4)

Who Wrote This Verse?

This verse was written by Paul, a follower of Jesus who travelled to many cities to tell people about God’s love. He wrote a long letter to the church in a city called Corinth, in Greece. Some people there were confused about whether Jesus really came back to life. So Paul reminded them of the good news he had taught them “first of all” – the part that matters most.

What Does “He Rose Again the Third Day” Mean?

Let’s break the verse into four small pieces, just like steps on a staircase:

  1. “Christ died for our sins.” Everyone makes wrong choices sometimes. The Bible calls these sins. Jesus loved us so much that He took the punishment for our sins on the cross, on the day we now call Good Friday.
  2. “He was buried.” After Jesus died, His friends gently laid His body in a tomb – a small cave cut into rock – and a big stone was rolled across the door.
  3. “He rose again the third day.” On Sunday morning, the third day, Jesus came back to life! When the women came to the tomb, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty.
  4. “According to the scriptures.” This means it happened just as God had promised long before in the Bible. God always keeps His promises!

So when Christians shout “He is risen!” on Easter Sunday, they are celebrating exactly what this verse says: Jesus is alive, and death could not hold Him.

Why the Third Day Matters

The “third day” was not a surprise. Jesus told His friends many times that it would happen. Here are a few places in the Bible where we read about it:

  • Matthew 16:21 – Jesus told His disciples He would “be raised again the third day.”
  • John 2:19 – Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” talking about His own body.
  • Matthew 28:6 – The angel at the tomb said, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
  • Luke 24:46 – After rising, Jesus explained that Christ had to “rise from the dead the third day.”

Counting the days helps kids understand: Jesus died on Friday (day one), rested in the tomb on Saturday (day two), and rose on Sunday (day three). That is why Christians celebrate Easter on a Sunday!

Want to learn more about this promise? Read our companion verse lesson, Christ Must Rise on the Third Day (Luke 24:46).

What Can Kids Learn From This Verse?

  • Jesus loves you very much. He gave His life for you because He cares about you.
  • God keeps His promises. Everything happened “according to the scriptures,” just as God said.
  • Sad days do not last forever. Friday was a sad day for Jesus’ friends, but Sunday brought joy. God can bring hope after hard times.
  • Good news is for sharing. Paul passed on what he received. Kids can share the Easter story with friends and family too.

How to Memorize 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Try these simple memory tips with your child or Sunday school class:

  • Use your fingers: hold up one finger for “died,” two for “buried,” three for “rose again the third day.”
  • Add actions: fold hands (died for our sins), lie down (buried), jump up with arms high (rose again!).
  • Say it every morning during the week before Easter, adding a few more words each day.
  • Make a verse card and stick it on the fridge or bedroom door.
Family making an empty tomb Easter craft for kids with a paper tomb, round stone and Easter eggs Save
Make an empty tomb craft together and retell the Easter story. (Illustration created with AI)

Easter Activities for Kids

1. Empty Tomb Rock Craft

Paint a small paper cup or half a paper bowl grey to make a tomb. Use a flat round stone or a cardboard circle as the “stone” that rolls away. Kids can retell the story by rolling the stone away and saying, “He rose again the third day!”

2. Three-Day Easter Calendar

Draw three boxes labeled Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In the first, draw a cross; in the second, a closed tomb; in the third, an empty tomb with a bright sun. This helps children see the “third day” clearly.

3. Resurrection Eggs Hunt

Hide plastic eggs with small story clues inside (a tiny cross, a stone, a piece of cloth). Leave the last egg empty to show that the tomb was empty because Jesus is alive.

4. Sunrise Breakfast

Wake up early on Easter Sunday and eat breakfast while watching the sunrise, just like the women who went to the tomb “very early in the morning.” Read the verse together as a family.

Discussion Questions for Kids

  1. How many days was Jesus in the tomb before He rose again?
  2. Why do you think Paul said this news was “first of all” – the most important?
  3. How does it feel to know God always keeps His promises?
  4. Who could you tell the Easter good news to this week?

A Simple Easter Prayer for Kids

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You died for my sins. Thank You that You rose again on the third day, just as You promised. Help me to trust You, to follow You, and to share Your good news with others. Amen.

More Easter Bible Verses and Stories for Kids

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Easter verse in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?

It says that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. It is one of the clearest summaries of the Easter story in the Bible.

Why did Jesus rise on the third day?

Jesus rose on the third day to fulfil God’s promise in the scriptures and the words Jesus Himself spoke to His disciples. It showed that He has power over death.

What is a short Easter Bible verse for kids to memorize?

“He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:4) and “He is not here: for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6) are both short and easy for young children to learn.