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Understanding the Easter Greeting: "He Is Risen Indeed" and Its Hope for Believers

Tomb with the stone rolled away from the door

The phrase “He is risen!” is a joyful proclamation during Easter celebrations, a call-and-response phrase Christians use to affirm and share in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While widely used during this season, especially in historic Christian traditions, many don’t realize the depth of significance behind this simple greeting. The traditional response, “He is risen indeed!” is much more than a ritual; it is a declaration rooted in Scripture and the hope of the Gospel.

From the Crucifixion to Easter Morning

To fully understand the depth of this traditional greeting, it’s helpful to reflect on the emotional and spiritual events leading to Easter Sunday, beginning with Good Friday.

Good Friday

Good Friday marks the crucifixion and death of Jesus, a day of profound sorrow and reflection for His followers. It was the culmination of His suffering, as He bore the weight of humanity's sins on the cross. When Jesus declared, "It is finished," (John 19:30) the skies darkened, the earth quaked, and the temple curtain was torn in two, symbolizing the immense spiritual and cosmic significance of His sacrifice. For those who believed in and followed Him, it was a moment of deep despair, as it felt like all hope had been utterly lost. Yet, in this darkest hour, the seeds of redemption and resurrection were sown, paving the way for the ultimate triumph over sin and death.

Holy Saturday

After Good Friday comes Holy Saturday, a day marked by silence and waiting. It represents one of the most poignant moments in the Easter story. For the disciples, it was a time of uncertainty and confusion. Holy Saturday "is certainly a confusing day as we see God rest on this seventh day—just as He did after creation—but today He rests in a tomb."

The emotions of this day are captured in Luke 24:21, where two disciples express their heartbreak and confusion, saying, “We had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” They struggled with disillusionment, believing Jesus would free them from Roman captivity, not yet realizing the true spiritual salvation Jesus had accomplished.

The disciples’ fear can also be seen in John 20:19, where they are hiding behind locked doors, worried that they, too, might face persecution or death. The silence and waiting of Holy Saturday makes the joy of Easter morning—and the triumphant declaration, "He is risen indeed!”—all the more powerful. The contrast between despair and deliverance underscores the miracle of the resurrection and the hope it brought to the world.

Easter Sunday

But then comes Easter morning—a day that changed everything. Before dawn on the third day, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, went to Jesus' tomb carrying spices to anoint His body. They had planned to mourn and grieve. Instead, they found an empty tomb. The message they received from the angel was life-changing: "He is not here; He is risen!" (Luke 24:6).

These women became the first to proclaim the resurrection. Later, when Jesus appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus and to others, their amazement turned into certainty as they responded, "The Lord is risen indeed!" (Luke 24:34).

This greeting affirms the heart of the Gospel message—that Jesus rose from the dead, defeating the power of sin and death. Romans 10:9 emphasizes, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Every time this greeting is spoken, it reminds Christians of their shared hope in Christ's resurrection and His offer of eternal life.

Where the Easter Greeting Comes From

The Easter greeting is a joyful call-and-response: one person proclaims, “He is risen!” and another replies, “He is risen indeed!” This exchange, rooted in centuries of Christian tradition, is more than a seasonal phrase—it reflects the heart of the resurrection message. In Western Church traditions, it’s often called the Easter greeting or Easter acclamation. In Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox communities, it’s also known as the Paschal greeting.

The word “Paschal” comes from the Hebrew word pesah, which means Passover. This connects the resurrection of Jesus to the Old Testament celebration of deliverance, which is also the same time of year Christ was crucified—during the Passover festival. Over time, this greeting became a shared expression of faith across many Christian denominations, linking believers across time, tradition, and geography.

Living the Hope of the Resurrection

The Easter greeting, “He is risen!” and the reply, “He is risen indeed!” are more than tradition—they’re powerful expressions of Christian faith. They remind us of the joy and hope found in Jesus’ resurrection. This simple exchange points back to the moment that changed history and forward to the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus.

The resurrection isn’t just a past event; it’s an invitation into a transformed life. Through Christ’s victory over death, we are not only saved from sin but called into a new way of living—one of purpose, hope, and daily renewal. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This means that every believer is given a fresh start, a living hope rooted in the resurrection.

As we reflect on the journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday, we see how sorrow turned into victory. The resurrection of Christ is a promise that offers us new life every day. As Romans 6:4 states, “Just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re inspired to deepen your understanding of Scripture and theology, Indiana Wesleyan University offers programs designed to help you grow. Whether you’re preparing for ministry, leadership, or simply want to know the Bible better, our Bachelor’s in Liturgical Studies or Master of Divinity degrees can equip you for your calling. Learn more today!”

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Sources

Holy Saturday. College Wesleyan Church. https://collegewes.com/worship-2/holyweek/saturday/

New International Version. BibleGateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/

Paschal. Etymonline: Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/paschal

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