The Characters of Easter

The Villains, Heroes, Cowards, and Crooks Who Witnessed History's Biggest Miracle

Meet the Unlikely People Who Witnessed History’s Greatest Event.

At Easter, the Son of God took on the world’s sin and defeated the devil, death, and grave. How is it, then, that history’s most glorious moment is surrounded by fearful fishermen, despised tax collectors, marginalized women, feeble politicians, and traitorous friends?

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. Enter their stories and ultimately draw closer to Christ Himself as you encounter His Passion through their experiences. Take a journey back to first-century Palestine and walk in the shoes of legendary people like Simon Peter, Judas, Pilate, John, Mary Magdalene and others.

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Download Free Church Series Kit

This Easter, have your church discover the unlikely people caught up in the story of Jesus. Transform your church into The Characters of Easter theme! Download a free package of digital files, including:

Sermon Notes and Research
Banners
Invite cards
Presentation graphics
Digital slides

Endorsements:

Dan Darling is such a delight to read! With eloquence and clarity, he gives us a tour of the many characters who witnessed the most important event in human history—Jesus’ resurrection. Readers will be blessed to pick up this book!

Jonathan Pennington
Professor of New Testament at Southern Seminary

How often do we know the style and traditions of Easter, pastel colors, spring dresses, and seersucker suits, more than we know the actual characters involved in the story of our Lord’s resurrection? The ultimate importance of Easter is that the tomb is empty, but there is so much more to the story that Dan Darling unlocks to help us see the significance of all those involved in the story leading up to the Super Bowl of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I’m looking forward to using The Characters of Easter as a primary reference for preaching a sermon series leading up to Easter, and I’m thankful he wrote this book.

Dean Inserra
Author of the Unsaved Christian; Founding Pastor of City Church Tallahassee

How fitting that a book about the resurrection makes the characters come alive! In The Characters of Easter, Dan Darling manages to make the most important theological event in history equally accessible to the person who’s learning the story for the first time and the seasoned theologian who has studied it carefully for years. Filled with thoughtful and practical insights, this book will fuel the reader’s passion for the passion story.

Hershael W. York
Dean of the School of Theology and Professor of Preaching at the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary

I don’t know how it happened. But somewhere along the way, I became numb to the wonder of Easter. I still believed that Jesus rose from the grave, but the miracle no longer moved and amazed me the way it once did. The Characters of Easter was the perfect antidote for my spiritual stupor. Darling’s vivid portraits of the people present at the first Easter brought the momentous event to life for me. I learned fascinating details about the ancient world and received fresh insights about Jesus’ friend and enemies. In the end, The Characters of Easter renewed my gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection and left me worshiping in the light of the empty tomb. I know it will do the same for you.

Drew Dyck
Editor; Author of Your Future Self Will Thank You

Media Inquiries

For press inquiries regarding The Characters of Easter, please contact Kathryn Eastman.